Antique Vintage buy Deco Mid Century 925 Sterling Silver TAXCO Onyx Earrings 16.2g

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: "925 Mexico" and unidentified maker's mark "C11" on the back of earrings, tested, and guaranteed

Country of Origin: Mexico

Brand: Taxco

Gram Weight: 16.2 grams

Metal Type: .925 sterling silver

Material: --

Main Stone: Onyx

Main Stone Measurements/Color:
-Length: 21.22 mm
-Width: 16.69 mm
-Color: opaque black 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: Carved and polished cabochon

Item Measurements:
-Length: 1.18"
-Width: 0.98" & 1.0"

Earring Style: Cluster earrings

Earring Backing Style: Post backings with plastic stoppers. Your jeweler can easily convert these to the preferred backing style you desire.

For Pierced or Non-Pierced Ears: Pierced

Notable Features:
-These earrings were handmade in the Mid Century era by a skilled Taxco silversmith in Mexico
-Composed of .925 sterling silver
-Each earring features a large onyx stone with a deep black hue and an oval cabochon cut
-The stones rest in bezel settings surrounded by silver bead motifs
-Completed with posts and plastic stoppers for wear on pierced ears

Damage: Age appropriate wear. One of the onyx stone has several scratches to its face, which does not affect wear and is hardly noticeable when worn. 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 by the local artisan community today.

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 buy 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.



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