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Vintage Jewellery, Navajo and Mexican Silver

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Vinage Los Ballesteros Malachite Necklace

Mexican Vintage Jewellery

in stock

1
1960's
$429.00

Beautiful vintage Los Ballesteros asymmetrical necklace, heavy gauge of silver, malachite inlay in beautiful mosaic mixed directional inlay. Nice quality, handmade necklace, tab closes with a crisp click, beautiful deep green. Unusual design, lovely craftsmanship, would make a sensational gift, nice length to suit most neck sizes.

Item Details

Size

Wearable length Approx 45cm / Centrepiece 8cm x 3.5cm

Weight

56 Grams

Hallmark

Los Ballesteros Hallmark / Mexico 925

Materials

Malachite, Sterling Silver

Condition Report

Spectacular vintage condition. Shows mild wear commensurate with age, no dings or chips, will come with some patina, as level of polish is a matter of taste. Has a handcrafted look to it - amazing vintage piece.

About this Piece

Taxco

High in the hills of southern Mexico is a small town named Taxco, rich in silver deposits with a history of mining and silver smithing, this town has produced some of the world's finest design and workmanship in vintage jewellery. The Mexican Revolution (a long and bloody civil war) ended in the 1930's leaving people and produce able to move freely for the first time in 30 years. American architect William Spratling, enamoured with the towns skills and resources, helps to reinvigorate the silver industry by creating silver design workshops, and exporting the produce, mostly to the United States. This little town became a hive of original design and expert craftsmanship attracting artisans and artists, like few other places and produced some of the worlds finest silver work for a 50 year period.

Malachite

Malachite is a brightly banded green mineral carbonate that forms deep underground, most often as a result of weathering of copper ores - it is the copper component that gives it it's rich green tone. Archaeological evidence suggests we have been carving out of Malachite as far back as 4,000 BC. Malachite is soft and a little brittle, it is sensitive to both acids and heat and requires gentle care, no chemicals or ultrasonic cleaning, avoid makeup, perfumes and cleaning products.