Los Ballesteros Mexican silver lemon quartz mask Necklace
Big, heavy and bold, the Los Ballesteros “beehive” pendant can be found with “masks” carved in amethyst, dyed calcite, azurite, black onyx and even obsidian yet I have never seen one like the example I am thrilled to be presenting here! Very reminiscent of Old World “moon face” jewelry, the portrait in our case is rendered in a light, lemon-colored stone. On my gem tester the stone registers in the citrine/quartz area and even though I would love to say it is citrine, I will stay on the side of caution and call it lemon quartz. And a sublime piece of quartz it is, glowing like water shimmering under the sun, the “mask’s” features fleeting as if out of a dream…
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 5/8” long (not including the bail) by 2 3/8” wide; with the bail it adds a 3” drop to the chain; chain itself is 29” long; 84.0 grams (for the set)
Hallmarks / Date: both pieces signed - pendant with the Los Ballesteros signature as shown as well as “TAXCO GRO” and Eagle 42 assay mark; chain with maker’s initials “JH” and “925”, “HECHO EN MEXICO IGUALA GRO”; pre-1948 for the chain, 1950s-70s for the pendant
Condition: excellent vintage with a dreamy, sublime “mask” that is free of chips, cracks or other problems and has amazing color, with hefty silverwork and an amazing chain, great patina and no damage or repairs noted
Inv# 15261
Big, heavy and bold, the Los Ballesteros “beehive” pendant can be found with “masks” carved in amethyst, dyed calcite, azurite, black onyx and even obsidian yet I have never seen one like the example I am thrilled to be presenting here! Very reminiscent of Old World “moon face” jewelry, the portrait in our case is rendered in a light, lemon-colored stone. On my gem tester the stone registers in the citrine/quartz area and even though I would love to say it is citrine, I will stay on the side of caution and call it lemon quartz. And a sublime piece of quartz it is, glowing like water shimmering under the sun, the “mask’s” features fleeting as if out of a dream…
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 5/8” long (not including the bail) by 2 3/8” wide; with the bail it adds a 3” drop to the chain; chain itself is 29” long; 84.0 grams (for the set)
Hallmarks / Date: both pieces signed - pendant with the Los Ballesteros signature as shown as well as “TAXCO GRO” and Eagle 42 assay mark; chain with maker’s initials “JH” and “925”, “HECHO EN MEXICO IGUALA GRO”; pre-1948 for the chain, 1950s-70s for the pendant
Condition: excellent vintage with a dreamy, sublime “mask” that is free of chips, cracks or other problems and has amazing color, with hefty silverwork and an amazing chain, great patina and no damage or repairs noted
Inv# 15261
Big, heavy and bold, the Los Ballesteros “beehive” pendant can be found with “masks” carved in amethyst, dyed calcite, azurite, black onyx and even obsidian yet I have never seen one like the example I am thrilled to be presenting here! Very reminiscent of Old World “moon face” jewelry, the portrait in our case is rendered in a light, lemon-colored stone. On my gem tester the stone registers in the citrine/quartz area and even though I would love to say it is citrine, I will stay on the side of caution and call it lemon quartz. And a sublime piece of quartz it is, glowing like water shimmering under the sun, the “mask’s” features fleeting as if out of a dream…
Size / Weight: pendant is 2 5/8” long (not including the bail) by 2 3/8” wide; with the bail it adds a 3” drop to the chain; chain itself is 29” long; 84.0 grams (for the set)
Hallmarks / Date: both pieces signed - pendant with the Los Ballesteros signature as shown as well as “TAXCO GRO” and Eagle 42 assay mark; chain with maker’s initials “JH” and “925”, “HECHO EN MEXICO IGUALA GRO”; pre-1948 for the chain, 1950s-70s for the pendant
Condition: excellent vintage with a dreamy, sublime “mask” that is free of chips, cracks or other problems and has amazing color, with hefty silverwork and an amazing chain, great patina and no damage or repairs noted
Inv# 15261