LOS CASTILLO VINTAGE TAXCO STERLING SILVER & AMETHYST NECKLACE
RARE Design #403 ~ Signed & Marked ~ Collector Quality
FREE DOMESTIC USPS PRIORITY SHIPPING WITH FULL INSURANCE AND DELIVERY CONFIRMATION! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
DESCRIPTION: This is a RARE and EXTRAORDINARY sterling silver necklace that was hand wrought in Taxco, Mexico, circa 1940 to 1945, by world renowned silver maestros at LOS CASTILLO. Maestro Don Antonio Castillo began his illustrious career working with the "Father of Mexican Silver", Maestro William Spratling, at Taller de Las Delicias. In 1939, he left Spratling and opened LOS CASTILLO, with his brothers and his wife at the time, Margot van Voorhies Carr (aka Margot de Taxco) ~ they later divorced. This magnificent necklace is masterfully crafted in an artistic and feminine motif that has a wonderful art nouveau look. The necklace consists of seven sterling repousse pendants (1-3/8" long and 1-3/8" wide) that have luscious dark purple amethyst cabochons (7/8" long and 5/8" wide) that are surrounded with flowing scroll flourishes and silver bead accents. There are silver repousse links on either side of the amethyst pendants that complete the necklace. Repoussage is a metal working technique in which a malleable metals (such as sterling silver) is shaped or ornamented by hammering from the reverse or under side. This technique is extremely time consuming and can take an artist an entire day or many days to complete just one piece. The pendants and links are connected with soldered silver jump rings. The clasp is a simple sterling hook closure that is seen on much of the early Mexican jewelry. The silver has acquired a wonderful, soft patina that reflects the shadows created by the depth of the designs. This necklace is extremely well made in a bold and beautiful design by silver maestros, LOS CASTILLO ~ an art-to-wear treasure that will be one of your all-time favorites ~ it is collector, heirloom and museum quality ~ quite simply ~ THE BEST!!!
SIZE: Inside circumference when closed is 15-1/2" and I'm including a 3" sterling silver extender that may be worn in the back where it doesn't show and extends the wearable length to 18-1/2", width at widest is 1-3/8", and gram weight is 91 grams.
CONDITION: Excellent vintage condition ~ no dents or dings to the silver or mixed metals ~ no chips, cracks or damage to amethyst cabochons only naturally occuring inclusions and color variances that are inherent to Mexican amethysts ~ minor surface scratches to silver due to normal wear and age (and actually desirable on vintage jewelry!) ~ no damage noted ~ just about PERFECT used condition!
HALLMARKS: "LOS CASTILLO, TAXCO, STERLING, MADE IN MEXICO, 403 (design number). LOS CASTILLO and this hallmark (photo L-63) are shown on pages 99-105 of Bille Hougart's highly respected source book, The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks (2006 edition). Mr. Hougart indicates that Los Castillo used this linear mark from 1940 until 1945.
''NO ACT OF KINDNESS, HOWEVER SMALL, IS EVER WASTED" ~ AESOP
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**I WOULD APPRECIATE A 5-STAR RATING AS EBAY JUDGES SELLERS WITH THIS SYSTEM ~ EBAY CHARGES 20% MORE TO SELLERS THAT DON'T ACHIEVE THIS RATING. IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY FOR ANY REASON, PLEASE CONTACT ME SO THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR A SOLUTION. SORRY, NO REFUNDS FOR BUYER'S REMORSE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, BIDS AND PATRONAGE!!!**
SHIPPING: FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING BY USPS PRIORITY MAIL WITH DELIVERY CONFIRMATION AND INSURANCE (provided through a third party insurer). INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING IS BY USPS FIRST CLASS REGISTERED MAIL & INSURED THROUGH A THIRD PARTY INSURER. USPS REGULATIONS REQUIRE THAT SILVER AND JEWELRY THAT IS SHIPPED TO CERTAIN COUNTRIES (INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CANADA) BE SHIPPED EITHER FIRST CLASS REGISTERED OR PRIORITY SHIPPING ONLY ~ NO REGULAR FIRST CLASS SHIPPING. SHIPPING COST TO CANADA IS $14.00 AND SHIPPING COST ANYWHERE ELSE IS $18.00 ~ PLEASE NOTE THAT SHIPPING COSTS ARE MORE THAN WHAT I CHARGE AND I PAY FOR FULL INSURANCE THROUGH A THIRD PARTY INSURER. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CUSTOMS DELAYS. Treasures are shipped the day of or the day after cleared payment is received.
PLEASE NOTE:
For Mexican jewelry artists and designers, silver is their canvas. In their hands, craft meets creativity and silver becomes wearable art. The various techniques are like a painter’s brushstrokes ~ they make each piece unique and a timeless object of beauty. Mexican vintage silver jewelry is handwrought, and therefore, not perfect ~ each piece will have variances that indicate that the piece is hand made. Vintage pieces will show various signs of wear since they have been pre-loved ~ items are described to the best of my ability and any damage will be noted.
Please email me with any questions and check out my other auctions. I try to list new treasures several times per week ~ all of my auctions begin and end in five minute intervals, beginning at 9PM EST. Thanks for your interest!
I am happy to combine shipping for multiple item purchases made within a 5 day period, so the more you buy, the more you save! Payment is due within 5 days of auction end. All sales to Virginia residents are subject to 5% Virginia state sales tax.
POLICIES:
Domestic shipping is by USPS Priority Mail Insured (by a third party insurer) and International shipping is by USPS First Class Registered Insured (by a third party insurer). I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CUSTOMS DELAYS. I am happy to combine shipping for multiple item purchases within a five day period. If you win two or more items, please wait for an email from me that combines shipping before paying with PayPal.
PAYPAL PAYMENT ONLY. An email with payment details will be sent when the auction ends. Cleared payment (including e-checks) must be received within 5 days of auction end or the item will be relisted. The item will ship the day after payment is received. Please let me know when you have safely received the item by posting my feedback ~ I will then reciprocate. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Unless otherwise described, items are vintage or antique and will have associated wear ~ silver may be tarnished as I do not polish any vintage silver. Please be advised that I am not an expert or a gemologist but describe all items to the best of my ability. All sales are final unless an item is misrepresented in the auction description. If I make an error in a listing and a flaw is not noted, a full refund, including original postage, will be given.
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