Posted 11 years ago
Elisabethan
(284 items)
The way I bought this makes me quite certain that this is really an older piece from the 1940s somewhere. But I don´t know for sure that it's a real Hector Aguilar brooch. It looks and feels like good quality. I have looked over and over again on line at stamps shown in "Little book of mexican silver trade and hallmarks" by Billie Hougart (I have to get the book by the way) and I think the stamp very much looks like the one shown in figure A-6 b. But I can´t make up my mind, what if I'm wrong? The needle is not made of silver, but maybe that was how the brooches were maid? So my friends, what do you think?
Thankyou vetraio50 for loving this!
Thankyou Racer4four!
Thankyou freiheit, aghcollect and Belltown :-)
Radegunder Thankyou!
SEAN68 Thankyou!
Nutsabodas 6 Thankyou!!!
Beautiful!!
1940-45:)
Thankyou sarahoff! For love and your coment :-).
I really do need some help with solving this. Isn't there someone out there that is interested in mexican silver?
Thankyou Valentino97! What conclusions do you draw from that?
Thankyou Zowie!
Thankyou tom61375!
Thankyou Valentino97! Your thoughts about the pin are the same as mine, why use silver in the pin? I'm so greatful for your help. There is a Hector mark in the Houghart book on mexican silver that looks like this. I just can't make up my mind and I don't know if that book is the best source since I'm new to this.
I will wait patiently for more information and ideas...:-). Thanks again for taking an interest Valentino97!
Thankyou for loving this moonstonelover21!
Thankyou pops52!
Ceck out http://www.925-1000.com, go to world hallmarks on top, scroll down to Mexican silver marks.
Yes I saw, the problem is how to evaluate the sources as they say different things. I thought the Houghart book was one of the most investigated source. You can look in it though google and search for Aguilar. There are serveral pages with stamps that are real and those that aren't, in figurer A6 they show an authentic one - from what I can understand - and it is very similar to this one. If you have the time too look there maybe you can tell me what you think? Thankyou for looking around for me :-).
Bille [not "Billie" :-) ] Hougart is an expert on Mexican silver marks. He has recently updated "The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks," third edition, May 2013, and a "must have" resource. He also includes examples of marks that are NOT authentic, pointing out some of the discrepancies.
I am certainly not an expert, but I have my doubts about the "authenticity" of your pin.
This particular Aquilar pin is shown on page 111 of "Mexican Silver" by Penny Morrill and Carole Berk. The big difference between your pin and the one shown in the book is the "form" of the petals. The "authentic" pin has petals that are twisted at the tip, not curved under like yours. If you turn your photo 180 degrees so the flower is at the top, your bottom petal, directly under the flower, is particularly curved under, which is not the form shown in the book. The Morrill/Berk photo shows this petal is also twisted at the tip.
The book doesn't show the Aquilar mark for this pin but I would think it would also include the eagle mark. I don't see that your piece has an eagle mark.
The most similar example to the Morrill/Berk photo is a pin for this online auction. Also note the difference between the mark on your pin and the one shown for this auction.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/179206828/sterling-hector-aguilar-orchid-pin-in?ref=market
Hope this helps you make a determination.
Thankyou for your help!! In the version of the book that was on line, this type of mark was authentic (I'm not saying mine is, I don't know) and it was, I believe, from 1940-45 and then there would be no eagle mark as it was before those where introduced. If this type of brosch was made before the eagle mark period then there could be reason for being uncertain about a piece that has the mark. On the other hand if the model was popular it might have been made under some period of time and the maker might have made alterations of the model. Does it say in your book what time the Aguilar brosch was made? I which they would have shown it's marks.
I'm not at all certain about anything, I'm just trying not to jump to conclusions too early, at the end when all available pieces come together it will be more clear to me. This is tricky I think, because of the quality and age of this piece, it's not crap :-). If it turnes out to be not an Aguilar that's ok, as this was one of the first mexican pieces I bought and I can then use it without being afraid of loosing it ;-). Thanks for the information you so kindly gav me!
Elisabethan, these are just "my observations" and none is meant to determine or give you advice as to the authenticity of your pin.
This is best way to learn and it always helpful if you have touched and examined authentic pieces to compare the quality of the workmanship. If one has an example of an authentic piece and a fake that can be compared side-by-side, the differences become more apparent.
The pin in the Morrill/Berk book states "circa 1940." It is included in a group photo of five pins, including the actual "orchid" pin. The pin of your form is photographed in that same group." I think that is how the one in your form is also referred to as the "orchid" pin, which is actually this form:
http://www.hetwesten.com/vintage_pages/detail_pages/4248pin.html
There are a couple of online listings for the pin in your form. None that I have seen has the eagle mark (circa 1948-1980).
http://www.antiquehelper.com/item/316070
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74433036/sterling-orchid-brooch-pin-signed-by
When you compare your mark to Hougart's mark A-6(b), note that there is space between Taxco / HA / 940, unlike the mark on your pin that has the three marks almost overlapping each other.
I suggest you take it to a reputable dealer who is very familiar with Aquilar's work.
Solver, thankyou for your answer and all your help. I see what you see about the lack of space. I might have been in denail about the space because I never thought about it. I guess I just thought it was because there was no room...finding an Aguilar expert where I live is just not possible, and this might just be the answer. I´ll see. Thankyou for your kindness in helping me.
PhilipDavidAlexandermorris Thankyou!
Nice! I have an equal little pendant.
Agram.m thankyou for love and coment and help with the other piece! I'm greatful!
Sometimes it seems the more you read and search, the more confused you get, right?! I know how that feels too. We all probably get that once in a while...A silver pin would bend too easily, is my thought. Even with jewelery clasps, usually there is a metal spring inside because it's durability needs to last longer-did that make sense? lol That's why sometimes if you take a magnet to the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, it will stick. It may just be the spring inside. Or the pin of a brooch! ;)
I don't have a book but wonder if a previous owner may have "bent" the tips of the flower? You never know. Sounds like something I might to if it pleased me at the moment...
Thanks Shareurpassion, I just saw your answer, sorry. Yes, that's a posibility :).
A late thanks to you Jewels!