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JEWELRY




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Talleres de Los Ballesteros Silver Bracelet
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1950's Los Ballesteros Mexican Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Weight: 2.6 oz/ 75 grams
Length: 7 inches/ 17.8cm end to end
Width: 1 1/8 inch/ 2.9cm.
Material: 925 sterling silver
Makers Mark: Talleres de los Ballesteros
Date: 1950's
Description: Members of the Los Ballesteros workshop, started out working in small towns in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. They trained in the old apprentice system of the Pre-Conquest times, where the father taught the art of silversmithing to his son. This system was later adapted by William Spratling, who replaced the elder master with a designer, who then passed on their knowledge to their apprentices.

Jalil Majul Ballesteros, moved to Taxco in 1937 to start a silversmithing workshop. He was trained by his grandfather and padrino (godfather), Efrén Ballesteros, who was a silversmith in Depecuacuilco. Efrén's padrino, Daniel Fonseca Ballesteros, was a well-known silversmith from Iguala. By 1941, demand for Taxco silver had grown and new techniques were adopted to meet the demand of the tourist market. By the 1950's, they established shops in Acapulco, Mexico City, Puebla and Cuernavaca.

The design of this bracelet was inspired by Pre-Columbian architectural motifs. The Balesteros have received international recognition for their designs. Although they have a large workshop with a head maestro, most of the pieces are made by small family workshops in Taxco and sold under the mark of Talleres de los Ballesteros.

This piece is in mint condition, hardly worn, stored most of it's life. It was collected in Mexico in the 1950's, and has been in the family since then—available on the market for the first time since it was made.

(Information from "Mexican Silver" by Penny Chittim Morrill and Carole A. Berk)
Item #: jlry025
—SOLD—



1950's Navajo Silver Turquoise Bracelet
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1950's Navajo Silver Turquoise Bracele

Two carinated (traingular) silver bands enclosing a double wire. Set with three 3/8" elliptical turquoise stones and two 1/4" elliptical turquoise stones. Decorated with 10 appliquéd silver teardrops. 2 1/2" by 1 7/8". Made in the 1950's.

Keywords:
american indian, american indian silver, american indian silver jewelry, native american, native american silver, native american silver jewelry, south west art, south west silver
 
Item #: nav002
$225



pre-1940 Navajo Silver & Turquoise Ring
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Pre-1940's Navajo Turquoise Silver Ring
Three natural oval cabochon turquoise stones set in a cast sterling silver double-tendril form mounted on a triple-branched band. This ring has a nice design and patina—a handsome piece. Condition is excellent. The one stone which looks to have a crack is actually a vein of iron deposit in the turquoise. Each stone has a distictive quality—the two outer stones being darker and of the same shade of blue, the middle stone being lighter—giving the ring design depth and character. The symmetrical and elegantly curved snake-like forms with rhythmical etched lines framing the three stones gives the ring a powerful and well-balanced design. It is well-made and beautifully designed, obviously done by a master silversmith. Ring looks very beautiful on the hand. Dimensions: stones are approx. 1 cm. in length; snake forms are 2.8cm at longest dimension. Looks like ring was marked on inner band and was re-sized at some point right through the middle of the mark, so it is no longer readable.

Item #jlry020
$285



Pre-1940 Zuni Silver & Turquoise Bracelet
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Pre-1940's Zuni Turquoise Silver Bracelet
This is a very unusual and lovely bracelet. It has five stones—the largest center stone being 1.1cm in length, the other four about .8cm in length. All the design elements are hand-formed and mounted onto a flat band which is then cut to follow the outline of the design, creating a visually exciting yet integrated piece. Judging from the design, this piece was made in the Zuni Pueblo area, obviously by a very skilled artist. There are old hand-etched initials "KWIH" over a faint figure "8". This could either be a makers mark or more likely, a later owner signiture perhaps when the piece was put up for pawn. The bracelet has a nice old patina and is in excellent condition. It is very decorative and wearable and would make a fine addition to any collection of antique Native American silver jewlry.

Item #jlry022
—SOLD—


Navajo Silver Turquoise Bracelet
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Mid-Late 20th C. Navajo Turquoise Silver Bracelet
This is a very handsome more recent cuff-style silver and turquoise bracelet. It is sturdy and well-made; unmarked but clearly made by a skilled silversmith. There are seven oval cabochon stones—one larger central one and six equal-sized stones evenly placed on either side, the color of which is an absolutely beautiful combination of blue and green.. There are well-formed silver beads between each stone, and a rounded elevated ridge along both edges of the band, giving the design a very clean and contained look. The large stone is 1.8cm long, the smaller ones about 1.3cm in length. Band is 6" long by 3/4" wide. Weight: 1.8 oz / 50 grams.

Keywords:
american indian, american indian silver, american indian silver jewelry, native american, native american silver, native american silver jewelry, south west art, south west silver

Item #jlry024
$300


1950's Villasana Mexican SIlver Bracelet
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1950's Mexican Sterling Silver Villasana Bracelet
Date: 1950's
Materials: Sterling silver and onyx
Size: 6" open, 1 3/8" wide
Condition: Excellent condition, male portion of clasp need repair.
Maker's Mark: There are four marks: "Sterling 925", "Eagle 3", "Hecho en Mexico _with AV in center", "VILLASANA"
Description: This bracelet consistes of 3 curved units hinged together. It has a hinged and built-in clasp, which when closed, disappears giving the rounded bracelet design a continuous look. Each unit is set with a 3/4" round cylindrical flat top onyx stone. Each stone has a double twisted wire surround.

Item #jlry06
—SOLD—


Christian Medallions Commemorative Coin
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Collection of Early 20th C. Christian Stamped Medallions & Coin
Commemorative Coin — 1 1/4 inches in diameter
The coin commemorates the 1926 Chicago International Eucharistic Congress. On the front of the coin is a relief bust of Pope Pius XI. On the back of the coin is pictured a chalis and the radiating light from God with the Sun enclosing a cross and the letters 'IHS'. Around the edge are the Latin words "UBI PETRUS IBI ECCLESIA". It is signed with the initials 'S.J.' on the back, and 'SILVA' on the front.
Item jlry030a: $45

Mother Mary and Christ Child— 1 3/4 inches by 1 3/8 inches
This is a very finely stamped medal of the Mother Mary and the Christ Child with two angels on either side. Her crown is beautifully ornamented, and the details of the features are exquisitely done; the faces are amazing—Mary's expression is very gentle and loving, and the face of Christ has very penetrating and wise eyes looking far into the distance; the hands are so lovely; and the drape and folds of the garments are soft and artful. There is a tiny hole drilled at the bottom where the medal must have been mounted at one time. The surface of the metal looks as if it may have had a silver wash at one time which has since been worn away from wear. This gives the piece a very rich patina and in no way detracts from the beauty of the image.
Item jlry030b: $55

Saint John the Baptist with Christ at the River
— 1 3/4 inches by 1 3/8 inches
This finely stamped medal depicts the Biblical story of Saint John the Baptist receiving the baptism from Christ. Christ is shown on Saint John's shoulder's holding the sacred orb, and John holds a branch as a walking stick to enter the river. There are two tiny holes drilled on each side from previous mounting. The surface of the metal looks as if it may have had a silver wash at one time which has since been worn away from wear. This gives the piece a very rich patina and in no way detracts from the beauty of the image.
Item jlry030c: $55

Christ — 1 1/4 inches round
This gold-washed stamped medal is of Christ showing the heart with a thorn garland with a winged flaming cross. His left hand points to the heart in the blessing gesture of the middle and index fingers outstretched. The surface is in very good condition with some soft wear on the areas of refief.
Item jlry030d: $36

Keywords: religious imagery, religious objects, devotional objects, biblical themes, Christian art.

Item #jlry030a-d
(individually priced)



19th Century French Beaded Ribbon
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Late 19th C. French Beaded Mourning Ribbon
Being that I have never run across another one like this, all I have to go on is an educated guess. I decided that this is either a mourning ribbon— being black, or an attachment to a watch fob—because of the metal finding design. The fleur de lis motif points to it being of French origin. The faceted brass beads are very old. It may be a one-of-a-kind piece made by a family member in mourning. The beadwork technique looks to be done in an unconventional manner—there are vertical thread floats all along the back of the beadwork, which is likely why it is backed with black silk ribbon. Size is 1 1/8" wide by 4 3/8 long.


Item #jlry040
$110



Unger Brothers Sterling marcasite carnelian ring
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1930 Art Deco Sterling Marcasite Carnelian Ring
Date: early 20th Century Art Deco Period
A lovely sterling silver marcasite ring. A classic Art Deco design. The carnelian color is a beautiful deep rich copper red color. One faceted marcasire stone is missing in one of the side points, but you really have to look hard to notice it. The carnelian stone has a very unique cut—what I would call a 'barrel' cut in a hexagonal setting. It is a very comfortable ring to wear and looks nice on the hand. Marked is two arrows pointing inward toward the letter U, possibly Unger Brothers. Also maked 'Sterling". Face is 1 1/4 inches long by 3/4 inches wide.


Item #jlry011
$225








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