Bernice Goodspeed Mexican silver tiger's eye "poison" Pendant Necklace
One of the few female designers of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance that we know of, Bernice Goodspeed arrived in Mexico's capital in 1930, according to Bille Hougart. Even though she and her painter husband, Carl Pappe, identified as writers and artists primarily, they opened a shop in Taxco where they sold not only their books and artwork but also jewelry that Bernice herself designed. Bernice's work is not as easily found - she was probably not as prolific as some of her contemporary maestros - so coming a piece bearing her signature is a real treat. The "poison" pendant at hand is classic for the period, its "dimpled dot" and wirework design reminiscent of Spanish Colonial jewelry. Adorned by a stunning, chunky piece of tiger's eye that hides the lid to its opening "secret" compartment it is paired here with a hand-wrought, ornate Mexican silver chain that I believe matches the pendant's "philosophy" very well. Don't the two look like they were meant to be together?
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 3/4" long (without the bail) by 2" wide; with the bail it adds a 3" drop to the chain; chain itself is 21 1/2" long; 56.0 grams (for the set; pendant alone is 42.6 grams)
Hallmarks / Date: maker's initial "B" as shown as well as "MEXICO 925"; chain is marked "MEXICO SILVER"; 1940s
Condition: excellent vintage with gorgeous molten golds and glistening browns in the stone, great patina in the silverwork, a beautiful chain and no damage or any repairs noted
Inv# 15848
One of the few female designers of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance that we know of, Bernice Goodspeed arrived in Mexico's capital in 1930, according to Bille Hougart. Even though she and her painter husband, Carl Pappe, identified as writers and artists primarily, they opened a shop in Taxco where they sold not only their books and artwork but also jewelry that Bernice herself designed. Bernice's work is not as easily found - she was probably not as prolific as some of her contemporary maestros - so coming a piece bearing her signature is a real treat. The "poison" pendant at hand is classic for the period, its "dimpled dot" and wirework design reminiscent of Spanish Colonial jewelry. Adorned by a stunning, chunky piece of tiger's eye that hides the lid to its opening "secret" compartment it is paired here with a hand-wrought, ornate Mexican silver chain that I believe matches the pendant's "philosophy" very well. Don't the two look like they were meant to be together?
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 3/4" long (without the bail) by 2" wide; with the bail it adds a 3" drop to the chain; chain itself is 21 1/2" long; 56.0 grams (for the set; pendant alone is 42.6 grams)
Hallmarks / Date: maker's initial "B" as shown as well as "MEXICO 925"; chain is marked "MEXICO SILVER"; 1940s
Condition: excellent vintage with gorgeous molten golds and glistening browns in the stone, great patina in the silverwork, a beautiful chain and no damage or any repairs noted
Inv# 15848
One of the few female designers of Mexico's 20th c. Silver Renaissance that we know of, Bernice Goodspeed arrived in Mexico's capital in 1930, according to Bille Hougart. Even though she and her painter husband, Carl Pappe, identified as writers and artists primarily, they opened a shop in Taxco where they sold not only their books and artwork but also jewelry that Bernice herself designed. Bernice's work is not as easily found - she was probably not as prolific as some of her contemporary maestros - so coming a piece bearing her signature is a real treat. The "poison" pendant at hand is classic for the period, its "dimpled dot" and wirework design reminiscent of Spanish Colonial jewelry. Adorned by a stunning, chunky piece of tiger's eye that hides the lid to its opening "secret" compartment it is paired here with a hand-wrought, ornate Mexican silver chain that I believe matches the pendant's "philosophy" very well. Don't the two look like they were meant to be together?
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 3/4" long (without the bail) by 2" wide; with the bail it adds a 3" drop to the chain; chain itself is 21 1/2" long; 56.0 grams (for the set; pendant alone is 42.6 grams)
Hallmarks / Date: maker's initial "B" as shown as well as "MEXICO 925"; chain is marked "MEXICO SILVER"; 1940s
Condition: excellent vintage with gorgeous molten golds and glistening browns in the stone, great patina in the silverwork, a beautiful chain and no damage or any repairs noted
Inv# 15848