We have similar Mid Century, Taxco, and Onyx items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Century,” "Taxco," or "Onyx" under our items.
Listing Description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Age Circa: Mid Century C. 1935 - 1965
Markings: "Hecho Mexico" on the backings, tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin: Mexico
Brand: Taxco
Gram Weight: 6.2 grams
Metal Type: .925 sterling silver
Material: --
Main Stone: Onyx
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
-Length: 9.67 mm
-Width: 7.16 mm
-Depth: 3.19 mm
-Color: opaque teal hue
Accent Stone: --
Accent Stone Measurements/Color: --
Stone Treatment: The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts: Rectangular cabochon
Item Measurements:
-Length: 0.77" & 0.78"
-Width: 0.77" & 0.78"
Earring Style: Cluster earrings
Earring Backing Style: Screw-on backings. Your jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire.
For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears: Both
Notable Features:
-These earrings were handmade in the Mid Century era by a skilled Taxco silversmith in Mexico
-Created in the Etruscan style
-Composed of .925 sterling silver
-Each earring features a large green onyx stone with a teal hue
-The stones rest in bezel settings surrounded by a rope twist motif, which also curves over each stone in two areas
-These stones adorn the top of four dome motifs, which are hollow pieces of rare puffy jewelry, created using the repousse metalworking technique
-Completed with screw-on backings for wear on pierced or un-pierced ears
Damage: Age appropriate wear. There is a very small chip to the side of one of the onyx stones, which is not immediately noticeable when worn and does not affect wear. The sterling silver is tarnished in some areas, giving the earrings a lovely antique quality. The price of this item has been reduced to reflect this.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
The Mid-Century era, 1935 to 1965, encompassed many new styles of art and architecture and this carried over to jewelry making. This exciting time for jewelry saw movements such as Hollywood Regency, Modernism, Brutalism, and the Atomic Age. Native American artisans were also making their mark in the jewelry industry. Artisans used many kinds of metals, gemstones, glass, and experimented with ceramic and wood as well. This era was filled with new and innovative designs, while also rejuvenating and reinventing older styles. The unique jewelry which emerged from this era is still very popular today.
Taxco, Mexico is famous for producing the finest sterling silver jewelry in the world. Taxco has a rich history of silver-making, with the Aztecs being the first to mine and craft sterling silver for adornment and ceremony. In the 1920s, an American artist named William Spratling moved to Taxco. Being inspired by pre-Columbian and Aztec art, Spratling built a successful jewelry business. Many local aspiring artisans started apprenticing under him, and he eventually developed an apprenticeship program, with many famous silversmiths having learned there. The Taxco tradition of silversmithing is still carried on selling by the local artisan community today.
Etruscan Revival jewelry was first popularized during the early 1800s when an Etruscan tomb was discovered just outside of Rome. Upon its discovery, jewelers worked to imitate and understand the metalworking techniques with which the jewelry was made. Not only was Etruscan jewelry a luxurious addition to the Victorian styles of the day. But it introduced new ideas and decorations. These Etruscan tombs contained jewelry adorned with long and flowing geometric lines and motifs, mythological imagery and scenery, and celestial elements. The techniques of repoussé, filigree, and granulation are all attributed to the Etruscans.
Puffy jewelry is a name given to hollow repousse pieces, typically little heart charms. Puffy hearts came into fashion in the late 1800s and were popular until the 1950s. Today, puffy jewelry is highly sought after, but very rare to find because they were difficult to make in the first place and were easily damaged due to their hollow cores.
Onyx is a chalcedony quartz gemstone that is found all over the world. It usually has a fine texture and black color; however, some onyx also displays colored bands or ribbons against a black or brown background. Red onyx is quite rare and desirable and is also known as sardonyx. Onyx that has a deep green shade is known as Brazilian green onyx and is very rare. It became a popular stone for sculpture and jewelry in the 1920s and 1930s. The name comes from the Greek word onyx which means nail of a finger or claw. The word onyx comes from the Greek word "ὄνυξ" which can be translated as "nail of a finger or claw." In Greco-Roman myth, the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, lay sleeping when Eros cut her fingernails and left the clippings scattered on the ground. Because no part of a heavenly body can die, the gods turned them into stone which later became known as onyx.
Repoussé began as an ancient metalworking technique dating as far back as the 3rd century BC, involving malleable metal that was hammered onto the reverse side to create an image on the front. Examples are found all over the world; Greece, Egypt, and even the Hopewell periods in the American southeast. Reverse side hammering was also used to add detail to the front, creating intricate patterns using grooves, indentations, and channeling. The piece was then carefully polished to create a hollow, eye-catching treasure.
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Product code: Antique Vintage Deco Mid Century Sterling Silver TAXCO Puffy selling Onyx Earrings 6.2g