Taxco Modernist Cuff 2024 Links: Sterling, Crushed Stone + Mixed Metals Piedra Negra Style Parrot Heads Parrothead Cufflinks 925 Eagle 1 Mark

This handmade cuff link pair is a great example of vintage Mexican modernist “married metals” (“metales casados”) silverwork. The areas of black resin are also reminiscent of “piedra negra” pieces. Each cuff link consists of a flat Sterling silver “rounded square” plaque, containing an abstract parrot's head design. The same design is on both cuff links; the images are created from inlaid greenish resin and crushed stone, brass, copper, and black resin, framed in silver. The rotating toggles are alpaca metal (nickel alloy).

Size: the cuff link plaques measure about 7/8 inch square.

Materials: Sterling silver, copper, brass, resin, crushed stone, and alpaca metal (nickel alloy).

Marks: stamped on the back of one of the cuff links is “TAXCO / 925” and an “Eagle 1” Mexican government stamp. On the back of the other is “TAXCO / 925”. There are no specific makers's marks. The Eagle 1 stamp is usually identified with silverwork made in Mexico City, with the Eagle 3 usually associated with Taxco work, however, such discrepancies are not unknown. It is possible that these cuff links were made in Taxco for a Mexico City firm.

Age: the Eagle mark system was used from 1948 to 1980. These cuff links are estimated to have been made in the 1960s.

Condition: these cuff links are in good vintage condition, with the fine scratches and tiny dents common to gently used jewelry of substantial age. They have a variegated patina ranging from light to dark grey on the silver, with a moderate darkening of the copper and brass portions. The metal could be polished by the buyer if a “less vintage” look is desired, but this should be done carefully with a jewelry polishing cloth to avoid over-polishing. The resin and resin/crushed rock inlay areas are in good condition. The cuff link toggle mechanisms are in good working order; the swivel springs are snappy and hold their toggle positions well.

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