Sergio Bustamonte Silver and 22 kt Gold Vermeil "Masquerade" Bracelet / Circa 20th Century

This was a really nice find from Salvation this morning. A signed silver and gold Sergio Bustamonte bracelet. The two faces are mounted on a thin silver wrap around band. One holds a gold mask in front of her face at arms length. The Sergio Bustamonte signature is on this arm as well. The metal purity marks are on the band. It's been double struck so it's a bit blurry. The silver is .925 with "Mex" and what looks like GA39 after that. The arm and one face have a 22 kt vermeil finish. The thin band is a bit bent but a jeweler could probably reshape it. All and all a great find. -Mike-

Sergio Bustamante/ Biography
Courtesy of santafeshop.com
Though born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, Sergio Bustamante has lived in the Guadalajara area since early childhood. In his youth, he studied architecture at the University of Guadalajara, but abandoned this pursuit when his talents and interests drew him to the fine arts and crafts. He began with paintings and paper mâché figures, inaugurating the first exhibit of his works at the Galeria Misracha in Mexico City in 1966. In the early 1970's, he traveled to Amsterdam, where he further developed his talents. After his return to Guadalajara, he established in 1975, along with other artists, the "Family Workshop Studio" in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico.
While Bustamante's works initially focused on painting and paper mâché, his talents inevitably led, in the mid-1970's, to the creation of sculptures in wood and bronze, many reflecting animal themes. 1979 marked the inauguration of innovative furniture designs in wood and glass with bronze accents, currently available in distinctive patterns and motifs.
The creation of ceramic sculptures in the mid-1980's provided avenues for the use of color and form in ways not previously explored. In 1992, the initiation of an extensive line of exquisite jewelry in bronze, gold and silver, many set with precious and semi-precious stones and, again, often reflecting animal themes, marked a new and expansive direction for his creations. In this same year, a new series of paper mache sculptures was introduced. In the new millennium, Bustamante continues to explore uncharted paths for the further expression of his uniquely imaginative and gifted talents.