Artists and intellectuals gathered in Mexico at the end of the Mexican Revolution with the goal of restoring prosperity and pride in Mexico. By the late 1920s-early 1930s, it was clear that a vibrant Mexican Renaissance was under way. These artists and intellectuals included such renowned luminaries as Diego Rivera, Fred Davis, Rene' d'Harnoncourt, and William Spratling.

The jewelry renaissance centralized in Taxco, whose history of mining and working silver goes back to Cortez and before. With the advent of artists such as William Spratling and Fred Davis opening shops and marketing their products, jewelry from Taxco became internationally famous for the quality of its design, workmanship, and high silver content. (The LEAST quality silver jewelry produced was sterling silver or .925 silver; much of the product was .940, .970, and .980, all of which has fewer alloys and is therefore much more difficult to work.)

Some of the finest Mexican artists began working in Spratling's taller and then went on to open their own workshops or design and produce jewelry under their own names. These people include Antonio Pineda, Antonio Castillo, Margot Castillo, Miguel Melendez and others.

Each shop had its own hallmarks that were modified frequently to prevent copying by others. Each piece of jewelry was stamped with the hallmark of the shop, the silver content, and the location of the shop.

Marcy Burns American Indian Arts makes a great effort to authenticate each piece of jewelry and extends a full written warranty for every object we sell. Please feel free to contact us to see additional works.

SOLD MEXICAN JEWELRY click this link to see items of Mexican jewelry that we have sold.

Marcy Burns American Indian Arts LLC
520 East 72nd Street, Suite 2C
New York, New York 10021
(by appointment only)

212.439.9257 (Tel/Fax)