Hecho En Mexico

I recently won an eBay auction for an early Mexican silver and onyx panel bracelet. I liked it because the styling was both rustic and modern, but I have a whole arm party of vintage Taxco bracelets. What really sold me was that it came in its original box. As I continue to downsize, I’m trying to have fewer jewels, but more pieces with provenance and history. My Thrift shop finds have a story, but it’s always the same story: I found it at the Value Village. I’m looking for some new narratives.

While the bracelet itself is only marked Mexico and Silver in recuse (which dates it pre-1950 when the eagle marks were introduced), the shop, Hilda, has a long history of supporting local silversmiths, including Antonio Pineda. The store still exists, by the way.

And even without the box, the bracelet is pretty awesome.