Arcoz Mexican silver "Aztec Revival" Necklace
Sharing the same Eagle assay mark with Bernice Goodspeed and at times also used by Antonio Pineda, Abraham Paz and Fred Davis, Arcoz was based in Mexico City and this "Aztec Revival" (if you allow me the use of the term) necklace bears their signature. This is still a mystery maker / retailer (?) and not even listed as such in Bille Hougart's book on Mexican silversmiths and hallmarks Over the years I have come upon pieces by them a few times yet if my memory serves me right, this is the most substantial example I have seen to date. Overlay and oxidation are used here to add depth to carefully hand-cut and finished floral and geometric links made of sterling sheet with good thickness. The result is pleasing to the eye and thanks to its articulation, the necklace is a pleasure to wear and to behold...
Size / Weight: 15 5/8" long (wearable; end-to-end 15 7/8"; easily lengthened with a simple silver extension); floral links part is 7" long by just shy of 1" wide; width at the chain is 1/2"; 55.9 grams
Hallmarks / Date: "ARCOZ" as shown as well as "HECHO EN MEXICO D.F", "0925" and Eagle 23 assay mark; 1950s-60s
Condition: excellent vintage with a beautiful, carefully executed design, its oxidation in great shape, nice patina and no damage or repairs noted
Inv# 15919
Sharing the same Eagle assay mark with Bernice Goodspeed and at times also used by Antonio Pineda, Abraham Paz and Fred Davis, Arcoz was based in Mexico City and this "Aztec Revival" (if you allow me the use of the term) necklace bears their signature. This is still a mystery maker / retailer (?) and not even listed as such in Bille Hougart's book on Mexican silversmiths and hallmarks Over the years I have come upon pieces by them a few times yet if my memory serves me right, this is the most substantial example I have seen to date. Overlay and oxidation are used here to add depth to carefully hand-cut and finished floral and geometric links made of sterling sheet with good thickness. The result is pleasing to the eye and thanks to its articulation, the necklace is a pleasure to wear and to behold...
Size / Weight: 15 5/8" long (wearable; end-to-end 15 7/8"; easily lengthened with a simple silver extension); floral links part is 7" long by just shy of 1" wide; width at the chain is 1/2"; 55.9 grams
Hallmarks / Date: "ARCOZ" as shown as well as "HECHO EN MEXICO D.F", "0925" and Eagle 23 assay mark; 1950s-60s
Condition: excellent vintage with a beautiful, carefully executed design, its oxidation in great shape, nice patina and no damage or repairs noted
Inv# 15919
Sharing the same Eagle assay mark with Bernice Goodspeed and at times also used by Antonio Pineda, Abraham Paz and Fred Davis, Arcoz was based in Mexico City and this "Aztec Revival" (if you allow me the use of the term) necklace bears their signature. This is still a mystery maker / retailer (?) and not even listed as such in Bille Hougart's book on Mexican silversmiths and hallmarks Over the years I have come upon pieces by them a few times yet if my memory serves me right, this is the most substantial example I have seen to date. Overlay and oxidation are used here to add depth to carefully hand-cut and finished floral and geometric links made of sterling sheet with good thickness. The result is pleasing to the eye and thanks to its articulation, the necklace is a pleasure to wear and to behold...
Size / Weight: 15 5/8" long (wearable; end-to-end 15 7/8"; easily lengthened with a simple silver extension); floral links part is 7" long by just shy of 1" wide; width at the chain is 1/2"; 55.9 grams
Hallmarks / Date: "ARCOZ" as shown as well as "HECHO EN MEXICO D.F", "0925" and Eagle 23 assay mark; 1950s-60s
Condition: excellent vintage with a beautiful, carefully executed design, its oxidation in great shape, nice patina and no damage or repairs noted
Inv# 15919