Posted 9 years ago
vetraio50
(756 items)
A fortnight ago I found this and another as well at my favourite shop on a shelf. They were marked as Mexican silver ... but the bodies were sitting on what I first thought were glass eggs. They brought a smile to my face. I had to have both of them.
When I got home I began looking again at the marks on the birds. This bird is marked on the base: HECHO EN MEXICO STERLING. 925. I S V. The base is one of three parts of the piece. The base and feet of the bird are glued, fixed to an agate egg that makes up the body of the bird. Above that there is the head, neck and feathers made of silver that sit over the upper face of the agate. The upper part is not fixed, but actually moves over the rounded surface of the polished agate. You can change the shape of the bird into a variety of positions.
This bird reminds me of a flamingo but I might well be wrong.
I have seen a few similar birds on the net. But I need some help with these two birds. I have so far not been able to identify the maker. I am supposing that the 'I V S' is the maker's mark.
Perhaps someone knows some more about the bird ... is it a Déco piece or is it later?
Both of the birds are very well modelled and beautifully constructed.
Any comments are welcome.
Height : 10 cm or 4 inches.
Possibly a flamingo, my first thoughts before reading description was that of an Emu, just another person's perspective......That's what's fun about "Art" everyone sees something just a little different. Great pieces, Thanks for starting my day off well.
Many thanks KERRY 'n MIKELV too !!!!!!!
You're welcome Kevin :).... I've been checking around and they're calling these pieces onyx, jasper, or agate sterling bird figures. Lots of forms. Herons, chickens, road runners, peacocks etc. Most seem to originate from TAXCO Mexico even if not marked as such along with the artists initials. Fairly pricey too !
The other is a road runner .... It's hilarious !!!
Many thanks SKLO & RIAZ too !!!!
Many thanks KYRANTANGO !!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-MEXICAN-MEXICO-STERLING-SILVER-HIGH-MOUNT-RING-TAXCO-925-EAGLE-2-IVS-/171891215029?hash=item280583cab5
Here it is marked IVS and Taxco
Many thanks KIVATINITZ, ROYCROFTBOOKSFROMME & BLADERUNNER too !!!!
Can I ask a question?
Thanks KIVATINITZ for that link. I note that the eagle has a 2 in the centre. I thought Taxco was 3.
Does anyone know what city the 2 was for ????
Hey Kevin, I found a sister goose for him!
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/311430928540?clk_rvr_id=890080845268&rmvSB=true
If anyone has a copy of 'The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks: Hecho en Mexico' by Bille Hougart could they check page 255 for the Eagle 2 marks?
stunning bird!!! lovely!!
Many thanks for that link KYRANTANGO !!! I have seen quite a few birds .... by a variety of firms. There are some very large examples too.
Many thanks SEAN !!!!
your very welcome Kevin!!
And a pair no less??!! Great find Kevin!
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/lg-vintage-signed-hecho-en-mexico-isv-490398263
Many thanks TONINO, IVONNE, RADEGRUNDER, DON, RICK & KIVATINITZ !!!!!!!
Many thanks KAPUTS !!!!!!
Many thanks AGHCOLLECT !!!!!!
Many thanks MOONSTONE !!!!!!
Many thanks TREY & ALAN too !!!!!!
Many thanks CORMORAN !!!!!!!
it is a white ibis
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anexo:Aves_de_M%C3%A9xico#/media/File:Whiteibis.jpg
Many thanks SMIATA !!!!!!!
And to you too KIVATINITZ for your help.
Im thinking it is an Ibis.
Ibis are in the gulf of mexico!
Look at this picture:
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-white-ibis-sanibel-island-florida-silhoutte-bird-shore-beach-gulf-16099143.html
The beak is the give away. Here is a better picture:
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-white-ibis-bird-fishing-river-image18090934
Many thanks AGOODWORKS for your input !!!!!!
Many thanks PEASEJEAN !!!!!!
Many thanks WALKSOFTLY !!!!
Many thanks TEDSTRAUB !!!!
Why were my thoughts when I saw this was..." Beep..Beep "... :-)).....love it vetraio50...:-)
Many thanks INKY & NORDICMAN SCOTT !!!!!!
Many thanks GLUECHIP !!!!!!!
wowza!! this is a real treasure Vetraio - one of the coolest pieces i've seen in a long time! of course, i'm very prejudiced towards Mexican art.
Many thanks HO2CULTCHA !!!!!
I think these pieces have a humour that you rarely see in silver !!
Many thanks THOMAS !!! !!!! !! ! !! !!!! !!!
Many thanks MIGNIGHT !! !!! !! ! !! !!! !!
Many thanks BUCKETHEAD !!!!!
Many thanks LISA & NEWFLD !!!!
Many thanks AURA !!!!
Many thanks VCAL & HO2CULTCHA !!!!!