Rossana Taxco

Rossana is currently listed - here is the sellers description:

This is a fabulous Modernist styled pin that is a bust of a woman. It is made out of Sterling Silver and has enameled accents in the design of blue and red-orange. The pin has a bar pin with a C-clasp that work perfectly. On the backside it is signed Rossana, Mexico, 925 and registration number TR-28. I would say that it is used and in excellent condition, the silver has a nice patina to it and there is no chipped or missing enamel. The pin measures approximately 2 2/8 inches in height and 1 inch wide.

When I first saw this it just screamed popowski. Modernist woman with red enameling in the left breast or heart area. I have never seen this designer before. The marks reminded me of ProSa - although this is not their usual design style.
Keep your eyes peeled for this particular designer = we may see more of him/her. If you know anything, pls post.

I really liked this piece - bidding starts at a confident $68.

Its Called A PATINA

I cracked up when I read this listing description on ebay:



Vintage Mixed Metals of Copper and Silver on Fumed Wood Plaque Signed "Talleres Monasticos with Logo Mexico Sterling and the Eagle 1"

Approximate measurements: 9 7/8"h" x 4.75"w x 7/8"d

Condition: Fair. There are scratches to the wood's fumed finish, including a rectangular area on the front lower right. The sterling of Maria is discolored, and may or may not clean up. (We're in the ladies against polishing club.)
The Talleres Monasticos was the silversmith workshop of the Benedictine monks of Cuernavaca.

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I am a long-time member of The Ladies Against Polishing club and I didnt even know there was a club. Over the years, I have recruited many members, explaining that sterling silver does not have to look like shiny chrome.
Sterling when exposed to air, or oxidation, does tend to darken, leave it, do not succomb to the polishing temptation no matter how strong it may be....
When polishing is required, do it GENTLY with a silver cloth.

websters definition:
* a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use
* an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character
* a superficial covering or exterior

ANTONIO Lipstick Holder

This is such an amazing piece of workmanship!
Nice weight and measuring about 3 inches in length, I wasn't surprised to see
Antonio's Crown mark (authenic).

Embellished with a garnet , this item was really unused since it was sold in Taxco in the late 1950's. Everything, in nice working order.

GET YOUR APPRA1SAL

D1d you hear?? The summer schedule for the Antiques Road Show has been released.
I encourage you to go and take your treasures if it is any where near you.

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ROADSHOW's 2011 Tour features a series of local events at which top appraisers offer the public free evaluations of antiques and collectibles -- revealing the often surprising history and value of these items.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW 2011 stops and dates include:

City Date
Eugene, OR June 4, 2011
El Paso, Texas June 18, 2011
Minneapolis, MN July 9, 2011
Tulsa, OK July 23, 2011
Atlanta, GA August 6, 2011
Pittsburgh, PA August 13, 2011

Admission to ANTIQUES ROADSHOW events is free, but tickets are required and must be obtained in advance. Ticket applications and complete ticketing rules will be available on pbs.org/antiques or by dialing toll-free 1-888-762-3749 after ANTIQUES ROADSHOW's season premiere, Monday, January 3, 2011, at 8/7C PM on PBS.

Check the PBS ARS website for more info...I think I will be attending the El Paso show.

Matilde Poulat Matl

Matilde Poulat circa 1900 - 1960
Ricardo Salas ? - 2006


Matilde was born in the early 1900's (I have to confirm)
- she ESTABLISHED her shop in 1934 and worked until her death - -
Ricardo Salas took over for Matilde after she passed away in 1960

PREHISPANIC INFLUENCED JEWELRY

Another important issue in the gallery are the jewels known as "matl". These were initiated by Matilde Eugenia Poulat, a native of Yucatan, who had studied in gold, in the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts in Mexico City.

Matilde in her jewelry was very influenced by Hispanic and particularly the Mixtec culture, discovered in 1932. She received international awards for her creations made between 1934 and 1960, the year she died. Her nephew Ricardo Salas, who worked for her, continued with their designs and among its most loyal customers are María Félix, Dolores del Rio, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Columba Domínguez, Joan Manuel Serrat, Princess Letizia Ortiz and Juan Pablo II, to quote the most important.

The jewels are made of silver, turquoise, amethyst and red coral. These include replicas of the jewels of Frida Kahlo.
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JOYERIA DE INFLUENCIA PREHISPANICA

Otro tema importante en la Galería son las joyas conocidas como “matle”. Estas fueron iniciadas por Matilde Eugenia Poulat, originaria de Yucatán, quien tenía estudios en orfebrería, en la academia de San Carlos, de Bellas Artes, en México DF.

Matilde en su joyería tiene mucha influencia prehispánica y en particular de la cultura mixteca, descubierta en 1932. Recibió reconocimientos internacionales por sus creaciones que efectuó entre 1934 y 1960, año en que fallece. Su sobrino Ricardo Salas, colaborador de ella, continuó con sus diseños y entre sus más asiduos clientes se encuentran María Félix, Dolores del Río, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Columba Domínguez, Joan Manuel Serrat, la princesa Leticia Ortiz y Juan Pablo II, por citar a los más importantes.

Las joyas están confeccionadas en plata, turquesas, amatista y coral rojo. Entre éstas se encuentran réplicas de las joyas de Frida Kahlo.

source: cybertour.cl
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TRANSLATION FROM SPANISH TO ENGLISH Courtesy of Google Language Tools
Thanks Google!!
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MATL continues to produce jewelry - not sure if they are copies or legitimate from the Matl workshop - if there is such a workshop (tho I doubt it). If you have any info, pls let me know. thanks Tia

Hubert Harmon Hallmark

You saw my long bio on Hubert Harmon which was posted in June 2010 - I always think everybody is familiar with his hallmark - but I am sadly mistaken.
So I am posting a sample his hallmark with winged feet altho sometimes his mark is just his name (and no winged feet). This particular mark is on Brass, which was not unusual for Hurbert - Brass, Copper, Sterling. I havent come across any gold pieces but if one popped up, it would not surprise me.
A hallmark on a piece is great but his designs are unmistakable - I mean really, Poodles, who does Poodles?! Hubert does thats who.

Fake or Authenic Margot de Taxco

NOTE piece above:
Silver content of 950
R Marking -
3 Digit marking (should be 4 digits beginning with 5)

The recently released Margot book is certainly an excellent reference for the serious hardcore Taxco collector or the beginning novice collector.
As the book hits the market, I expect the prices for Margot to shoot up.
So, whaat does that do to the market? Yeah, fakes and repros...thats not because of the relsease of the book the fakes and repros have long been out there.
But its nice to know the book addresses the Alba and Quiroz molds n makers.

Here is a pic of a recently listed 'authentic' and 'vintage' Margot de Taxco. I would expect lots more of this will be coming up - shop cautiously...again, nothing wrong with knockoffs and remakes as long as thats how they are being sold - when you cant afford the more expensive authentic pieces, this is a good alternative - just my little opinion...so check the pic and know what to l@@k out for as NOT vintage NOT authentic - yeah, shop cautiously.