Vintage Mexico Alpaca Silver Brooch Pendant Abalone Mother of Pearl Inlay Flower

Name: Vintage Mexico Alpaca Silver Brooch Pendant Abalone Mother of Pearl Inlay Flower
Brand: Alpaca
SKU: 158010586001
Price: 30.00 USD
Availability: InStock

USD 30.00

Condition: Pre-owned - Excellent

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Description

View Vintage Mexico Alpaca Silver Brooch Pendant Abalone Mother of Pearl Inlay Flower with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. That is the word for this brooch. This is made with Alpaca which is an alloy containing silver which is used as the base for the mosaic. It may have sterling used for the outlines and on the back of the piece as well - it is tarnished a little on the back, so it makes sense. STUNNING!  That is the word for this brooch. The color of abalone and mother of pearl just shimmers and is stunning. This is made with Alpaca which is an alloy containing silver which is used as the base for the mosaic. It may have sterling used for the outlines and on the back of the piece as well - it is tarnished a little on the back, so it makes sense. It isn't signed by the artist but it is just a brilliant piece. The symmetric flowers at either end of the oval setting gives it a great Art Deco look. The teal, blue, greens, pinks and purples shine from every angle as the pin moves and catches the light. The mother of pearl has hues of pinks, whites, and purples too. It all combines to be breathtaking. Vintage from the very early 1950's and that took a minute or days to figure out. So this is very specific and hit a hiccup in the midst of many changes in jewelry in Mexico. This stamp was used only 2 times by itself 1930's to 1950's and 1970 only some of the inlay is more in line with the direction of adding enamel that was done in the 1970's but the hand cut look and feel of the abalone and mother of pearl are very much in line with earlier jewelry. Most earlier jewelry had a C clasp which this does not. Most 1970's jewelry has a standard safety pin back which this also does not. This has a safety clasp but the hinge is attached separately and has a ball and post to which the pin wire is attached to create a hinge definitely older as this attachment process was labor intensive but worthwhile as it helps stabilize heavier brooches on coats so they don't droop. The last hint that this was older is the pin point. It is sticking out beyond the clasp by about 1/8 in this is only present on older brooches and rarely found once safety catches started so definitely this brooch was threading the age gap and just hit the transition time perfectly. At this time in Mexico the style was adding modern details like lacquer in the inlay which is what the white flowers are made with and the symmetric curves and balance that mid century was introducing. They started using the safety catches at the beginning of 1950 to keep up with US trends, but had not adapted to the full format for the pinback and were still using the older style hinge and pin assembly which accounts for the pin's extra extension. Just really cool and definitely a little piece of Mexican history as far as jewelry is concerned. Measuring about  2 in x 1 in.  Beautiful condition and such an amazing history too. Happy Shopping!  Condition: Pre-owned - Excellent. Category: Jewelry & Watches › Vintage & Antique Jewelry › Brooches & Pins. Brand: Alpaca.