Margot de Taxco Mexican silver enamel Roman Patrician Pendant Necklace
The indisputable queen of Mexican enamelwork, Margot de Taxco created an amazing series of jewelry in that technique which she first started focusing on while still married to Antonio Castillo and designing for the family workshop. As with her other jewelry here too the sources of inspiration were varied covering distances not only in geographical space but also in time. From fiery Quetzalcoatls to Egypt's beguiling Cleopatra; from the world of flora and fauna surrounding her all the way back to the ancient Greco-Roman past. And that is exactly where her "Roman Patrician" pendant necklace comes from. His unmarred, classical features aptly rendered in bronze enamel, a thin ribbon holding his curls in place, the youth is shown in profile. The portrait is actually a separate piece, fastened onto the black enameled base with rivets visible on the back, a construction feature that enhances its sculpturality and makes it look like an ancient relief plaque. Stunning...
Size / Weight: chain is 24" long by 1/4" wide; pendant adds a 2 7/8" drop and is 2 1/4" wide; 111.8 grams
Hallmarks / Date: fully and appropriately hallmarked with Margot's signature as well as "HECHO EN MEXICO 925", Eagle 16 assay mark and des. no 5826; 1950s-60s
Condition: very good vintage with striking colors, impressive proportions and its enamel in great shape, shiny and free of unsightly wear, cracks and chips; there are a couple of expected pin-prick size nicks in the chain and the edges of the portrait yet not visible to the naked eye and one very small area where the glaze over the enamel is worn; there is no enamel missing and the wear does not register unless upon close inspection with a jewelry loupe; it is located on the upper lip and you can assess it yourselves by enlarging the photos which I took using a macro lens
Inv# 14059
The indisputable queen of Mexican enamelwork, Margot de Taxco created an amazing series of jewelry in that technique which she first started focusing on while still married to Antonio Castillo and designing for the family workshop. As with her other jewelry here too the sources of inspiration were varied covering distances not only in geographical space but also in time. From fiery Quetzalcoatls to Egypt's beguiling Cleopatra; from the world of flora and fauna surrounding her all the way back to the ancient Greco-Roman past. And that is exactly where her "Roman Patrician" pendant necklace comes from. His unmarred, classical features aptly rendered in bronze enamel, a thin ribbon holding his curls in place, the youth is shown in profile. The portrait is actually a separate piece, fastened onto the black enameled base with rivets visible on the back, a construction feature that enhances its sculpturality and makes it look like an ancient relief plaque. Stunning...
Size / Weight: chain is 24" long by 1/4" wide; pendant adds a 2 7/8" drop and is 2 1/4" wide; 111.8 grams
Hallmarks / Date: fully and appropriately hallmarked with Margot's signature as well as "HECHO EN MEXICO 925", Eagle 16 assay mark and des. no 5826; 1950s-60s
Condition: very good vintage with striking colors, impressive proportions and its enamel in great shape, shiny and free of unsightly wear, cracks and chips; there are a couple of expected pin-prick size nicks in the chain and the edges of the portrait yet not visible to the naked eye and one very small area where the glaze over the enamel is worn; there is no enamel missing and the wear does not register unless upon close inspection with a jewelry loupe; it is located on the upper lip and you can assess it yourselves by enlarging the photos which I took using a macro lens
Inv# 14059
The indisputable queen of Mexican enamelwork, Margot de Taxco created an amazing series of jewelry in that technique which she first started focusing on while still married to Antonio Castillo and designing for the family workshop. As with her other jewelry here too the sources of inspiration were varied covering distances not only in geographical space but also in time. From fiery Quetzalcoatls to Egypt's beguiling Cleopatra; from the world of flora and fauna surrounding her all the way back to the ancient Greco-Roman past. And that is exactly where her "Roman Patrician" pendant necklace comes from. His unmarred, classical features aptly rendered in bronze enamel, a thin ribbon holding his curls in place, the youth is shown in profile. The portrait is actually a separate piece, fastened onto the black enameled base with rivets visible on the back, a construction feature that enhances its sculpturality and makes it look like an ancient relief plaque. Stunning...
Size / Weight: chain is 24" long by 1/4" wide; pendant adds a 2 7/8" drop and is 2 1/4" wide; 111.8 grams
Hallmarks / Date: fully and appropriately hallmarked with Margot's signature as well as "HECHO EN MEXICO 925", Eagle 16 assay mark and des. no 5826; 1950s-60s
Condition: very good vintage with striking colors, impressive proportions and its enamel in great shape, shiny and free of unsightly wear, cracks and chips; there are a couple of expected pin-prick size nicks in the chain and the edges of the portrait yet not visible to the naked eye and one very small area where the glaze over the enamel is worn; there is no enamel missing and the wear does not register unless upon close inspection with a jewelry loupe; it is located on the upper lip and you can assess it yourselves by enlarging the photos which I took using a macro lens
Inv# 14059