Mexican mixed metals figural Pendant ~ King Pakal of Palenque
Anonymous like so many beautifully made pieces of jewelry from mid-20th c. Mexico, the figural pendant presented here is a mixed metals piece and probably a portrait of the 7th c. Pakal the Great, Maya king of Palenque. Whether ancient royalty or simply a nobleman or a priest, the figure has strong presence and is exquisitely made. Brass, black onyx, turquoise or green glass (difficult for me to say here) and alpaca have been seamlessly brought together to create a small work of wearable art. A difficult technique to master, "metales casados" was employed by the Los Castillo and Victoria - the latter actually known as a having truly excelled at it - during Taxco's heyday but there are a few other maestros who did equally well and I feel very lucky whenever I get an example that is signed by a "less celebrated" or completely unknown artist...
Size / Weight: 3" tall by 1 1/2" wide; 36.3 grams (FYI only since there isn't any precious metal here)
Hallmarks / Date: "HECHO EN MEXICO"; ca 1950
Condition: excellent vintage with the metals having developed a beautiful patina, the inlay all intact and vividly colored, with no damage and no repairs noted
Inv# 15153
Anonymous like so many beautifully made pieces of jewelry from mid-20th c. Mexico, the figural pendant presented here is a mixed metals piece and probably a portrait of the 7th c. Pakal the Great, Maya king of Palenque. Whether ancient royalty or simply a nobleman or a priest, the figure has strong presence and is exquisitely made. Brass, black onyx, turquoise or green glass (difficult for me to say here) and alpaca have been seamlessly brought together to create a small work of wearable art. A difficult technique to master, "metales casados" was employed by the Los Castillo and Victoria - the latter actually known as a having truly excelled at it - during Taxco's heyday but there are a few other maestros who did equally well and I feel very lucky whenever I get an example that is signed by a "less celebrated" or completely unknown artist...
Size / Weight: 3" tall by 1 1/2" wide; 36.3 grams (FYI only since there isn't any precious metal here)
Hallmarks / Date: "HECHO EN MEXICO"; ca 1950
Condition: excellent vintage with the metals having developed a beautiful patina, the inlay all intact and vividly colored, with no damage and no repairs noted
Inv# 15153
Anonymous like so many beautifully made pieces of jewelry from mid-20th c. Mexico, the figural pendant presented here is a mixed metals piece and probably a portrait of the 7th c. Pakal the Great, Maya king of Palenque. Whether ancient royalty or simply a nobleman or a priest, the figure has strong presence and is exquisitely made. Brass, black onyx, turquoise or green glass (difficult for me to say here) and alpaca have been seamlessly brought together to create a small work of wearable art. A difficult technique to master, "metales casados" was employed by the Los Castillo and Victoria - the latter actually known as a having truly excelled at it - during Taxco's heyday but there are a few other maestros who did equally well and I feel very lucky whenever I get an example that is signed by a "less celebrated" or completely unknown artist...
Size / Weight: 3" tall by 1 1/2" wide; 36.3 grams (FYI only since there isn't any precious metal here)
Hallmarks / Date: "HECHO EN MEXICO"; ca 1950
Condition: excellent vintage with the metals having developed a beautiful patina, the inlay all intact and vividly colored, with no damage and no repairs noted
Inv# 15153