Indian Penshell Heishi and Silverplated Beads Double Necklace. This Indian double necklace measures 23" long. Dark brown penshell heishi and obsidian nuggets alternate with contrasting silver (we think silverplated) roses, tube and bugle beads. Circa 1980. DH32-05
- $38
Big Sterling Disk Earrings - Signed - Mexico. These vintage all-sterling clip earrings are 1 1/8" wide and, an unusual 3/8" thick. They are a wonderful accessory to dress for the office. They are handmade, signed "NM, sterling, and Mexico." These are handsome and sturdy earrings. DH161-07 - $45
800 Silver Filigree and Enamel Small Butterfly Brooch. This pretty little gal is a companion piece to the below listing. This 800 vermeil silver filigree butterfly is dotted with dark blue, cerulean, red, and green glass enamel. It packs a punch in its small frame with a wingspan of 1 1/4". Marked 800 on back. DH332-08
Exotic Peruvian Handmade Sterling and solid 18 kt Gold Necklace. This large brooch/pendant necklace is not for wallflowers! There is a serious amount of silver and gold in this vintage artisan made piece.
Peruvian handicrafts were rated by “Parade Magazine” in the top ten for collectibles of the new millennium. When the conquistadors came to the Incan capital, Cuzco, the palace walls were literally covered in gold. Dressed in gold, the ruler sat on a solid gold throne. He used gold plates and cups. His personal garden contained flowers and statues of gold. Only the Inca chief wore and used this precious metal. This long tradition of Peruvian work in precious metals has placed Peru amongst the best of the world’s artisans.
In tiny villages of the Peruvian Andes, excellent craftsmen have carried on metalwork for centuries. Gianna offers this handmade necklace, which would have been made c1960-70. The pendant/brooch measures 2 ¼” long and centers an 18K llama. The back is signed “AMD, Peru, sterling, and 18K.” The 28” handmade chain is very impressive, with ½” long links. The necklace is reflecting backround from the camera shot. This piece is highly polished and a beautiful piece of yesterday's jewelry for today's woman! Excellent condition. LH20-05
- $255
Mexican Sterling and Crushed Turquoise Aztec Sun Calendar Buckle. The Aztec calendar, also called the “Sun Stone” is probably the most well-known symbol of Mexico. The original antique massive carving is a 12” wide basalt stone, which is three feet thick and weighs 25 tons. The calendar was used to count days: to determine religious holidays, planting times and lucky days. However, the calendar was also used to count years. The Aztec’s believed in the cyclical destruction and resurrection of their civilization. The calendar specifies five different cycles.
This large, handmade sterling buckle measures 3 3/8” across. Hand engraving and crushed turquoise embellish the surface surrounding the Aztec calendar. The back is signed “AOR”. Excellent condition. Yesterday's jewelry with ancient reminders.
Wearable today. LH24-05 Mexican Sterling Silver Buckle ~Back - $190
Navajo Sterling Turquoise Ring by Rose Castillo Draper. This sterling and turquoise Navaho ring dates 1978-79 and is made by designer Rose Castillo Draper, a Navaho silversmith, who worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Simple, classic Navaho design. Size 10. Signed RD. This signature may be found in "Hallmarks of the Southwest", published by Shiffer. Very good condition. DH81-05
Antique Scottish Sterling Agate and Thistle Brooch. This lovely antique memento of the Highlands is a 1 1/8" diameter sterling brooch centered by a thistle flower decoration. An ancient Scottish symbol of endurance and courage, the thistle is referred to in Scotland's motto, "None Touch Me With Impunity." The thistle in this brooch is surrounded by plaques of green and red agate. Hand-engraving around circular section of brooch. Antique c-clasp closure.
Queen Victoria's love of the Scottish countryside helped to popularize Scottish "pebble" jewelry. DH98-06 - $185
Jimmie Patterson Turquoise and Coral Navajo Ring. This sterling ring is by the noted Navaho inlay artist, Jimmie Patterson. The ring measures 1 5/8" tall and is a size 6 3/4. The ring can be opened somewhat for a larger size. A lightning bolt with inlaid crush coral juxtaposes a feather filled with crushed turquoise. The ring is signed with an uppercase "P" for Jimmie Patterson.
The Navaho associated the lightning bolt with the Thunderbird, the god of lightning. The Thunderbird is also a harbinger of Spring. When the Navaho constellation of the Thunderbird comes near to the nose of the Bear constellation, Spring has come. DH104-06
- $135
Damascene and Pearl Floral Clip Earrings. These floral clip earrings are very ornate with an overall damascene decoration. Gilt brass metal with black and white enamel accents center lustrous costume pearls in flower centers. Signed "Spain" and measuring 1" tall. LH68-06 - $22
Navajo J.Yikaazba Popovich Sterling/Turquoise Choker. This is a well-crafted 15 1/2" Navaho sterling necklace with beautiful deeply colored turquoise. The central turquoise cabochon measures 1" across set into a traditional Navajo medallion. Each turquoise section is crafted exquisitely and interesting sterling links comprise the remainder of the necklace. Each medallion is signed: the necklace is signed with a conjoined "JP" and "sterling" for Jane Yikaazba Popovich, a Navajo silversmith. Her mark is referenced in "Hallmarks of the Southwest" by Barton Wright. Excellent condition. DH105-06 - $310
Mixed Metals (Metales Casados)Vintage Mexican Sterling Serpent Brooch. The Aztec's dominated Mexico at the time of the Spanish conquest. After Mexican independance and the subsequent display of nationalism, artists returned to the Aztecs for inspiration.
Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity, is an iconic symbol for the Aztec nation. He is thought to be the chief god, a creator; and god of earth (snake) melded with the heavens (quetzal bird.)
This 1 7/8" wide sterling brooch is also inlaid with copper and brass and crushed gemstones such as lapis lazuli and malachite. The back is stamped "Metales" "Hecho en Mexico" "Taxco" "SH" and has the eagle stamp "3". DH106-06
- $135
Spanish Damascene Earrings. These 1 3/4" long clip earrings sport 9mm costume pearls under dangling damascened honey bees decorated in the colors of gold and silver against black. At the ears are similarly decorated scallop shells, an early Spanish badge of pilgrimage and symbol for St. James, patron saint of Spain. LH106-06 - $25
Vintage Navajo Sterling and Turquoise Shadow Box Ring. This beautifully handmade vintage Navajo ring showcases a stunning turquoise cabochon in a recessed setting. The 25 x 18.5mm "shadowbox" is hand-engraved with linework. The 8 x 10mm turquoise cabochon is highly polished and the ring is a size 6. A true keepsake! LH157-08
Vintage Mexican Filigree and Onyx Face Earrings. The very fine filigree border to these carved face earrings is unusual. These sterling screwback earrings measure approximately 1" long and are set with carved green onyx faces. The backs are signed in Spanish twice on each earring "AHS, surrounded by Plata 925 Hecho ...engund. Mexico." Very good condition. LH175-06 - $48
Vintage Mexican Sterling and Turquoise Child's Bracelet. This vintage Mexican sterling and turquoise girl's bracelet measures 5 1/2" long. Each link is adorned with a bezel-set cabochon turquoise and silver beads. The turquoise are well-matched. The hook clasp is marked "Mexico" and "sterling". Very good condition. LH184-06 - $48
Zuni Indian Desert Bird Necklace. This unusual 21 1/2" long necklace has a center pendant which depicts a desert bird entirely made out of stone inlay. He sits on a branch and is shown against "sand", which is a mother-of-pearl background. Interestingly, the mother-of-pearl changes color and turns from yellow to white depending on the light. A turquoise and onyx "mountain" are in the background. The pendant backing is a piece of flat, black horn. Beads are silver plated tube beads, rosettes, round spacers and long bugle beads. Interspersed are four rough turquoise nuggets. Very good condition. LH185-06 - $35
Spanish Flamenco Guitar Brooch. This finely detailed damascene brooch is a wonderful companion piece to the Giannas Gems damascene guitar brooch. Perhaps the little flamenco musician will inspire someone to practice when they should.
The guitarist wears a wonderful outfit and hat. His clothing is worked in an arabesque damascene pattern. His jacket is braided in silver. His flamenco guitar is the focal point, with its black body and silver trim. The brooch measures 2 1/16" tall and is in very good ondition. LH193-06 - $22
This item has recently been sold.
Vintage Mexican Sterling and Obsidian Clip Earrings. These vintage Mexican sterling clip earrings measure 1 1/8" tall and have sturdy ear clips. Flat 12 x 18mm obsidian ovals are bezel-set and surrounded by a beaded frame. The obsidian is a dense black with tiny flecks that reflect the light. The closed sterling backs are marked "Mexico" and with an illegible mark that looks to be "925". Guaranteed to be sterling. DH131-07 - $32
Signed Mexican Sterling Brooch - Aztec Headdress. This approximately 2" tall brooch portrays an ancient Aztec with a tall feather headdress. The head is carved green onyx and the headdress is created in two layers, with the top layer cut out to show off the feathers. Headdresses were status symbols and badges of authority in the Aztec world. The headdress (penacho) of the Aztec emperor Montezuma, also called the Kopilli Ketzalli, was fashioned of hundreds of brilliant green-blue quetzal feathers. It was taken to Europe over 400 years ago and Mexico has unsuccessfully been calling for its return for 20 years.
Sterling beading surrounds the brooch. The back is signed "Hecho en Mexico DF (for Distito Federal, the federal district of Mexico City) 925, and SPD, for the maker. A little bit of surface wear. DH154-07
- $72
