Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A striking mid-century Mexican sterling silver brooch featuring a hand-carved mahogany obsidian face mask set within an elaborate, stylized silver headdress. This piece represents the golden age of Taxco silverwork, blending indigenous Mesoamerican motifs with modern mid-century design sensibilities.
Story
In the 1930s, Taxco became a creative hotbed as artists revived ancient Aztec and Mayan imagery for a modern global audience. This brooch captures that magic, turning a piece of volcanic glass into a wearable sculpture.
Maker / Origin
While unsigned or bearing a generic Eagle mark, this piece is designed in the distinct style of Taxco masters like William Spratling, Hubert Harmon, or Hector Aguilar. These designers revolutionized Mexican jewelry by elevating local materials like obsidian, amethyst, and turquoise into high-art silver settings.
Condition & Value
The brooch appears to be in excellent vintage condition with a beautiful natural patina on the silver. The carved obsidian mask shows no visible cracks or major flea bites. Preserving the original dark patina in the silver's recessed areas is crucial for maintaining its value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.