Salvador Teran 1950s sterling silver Aztec set

Salvador Teran 1950s sterling silver Aztec heads necklace & bracelet set JS35

Condition: Excellent

Price: $1675

Measurements
Necklace: 13" long (choker-length). Center heads section is 2" wide by 1.5" tall
Bracelet: 7" around (best fit for 6.5" wrist)
Earrings: 1" by 1"
Label: Salvador Teran, Sterling Mexico

Description
This fantastic sterling silver necklace, bracelet and earrings set by Salvador Teran dates from the 1950s or early 1960s. Born in Taxco, Teran began his career in the 1930s working at "Las Delicias" with William Spratling. In 1939, he joined his cousins at the "Los Castillo" workshop, where his jewelry was sold under that mark for many years. Teran opened his own workshop in Mexico City, in 1952. He is known for the inventive, surrealist quality of his designs, combining Pre-Columbian influences mixed with "modern" 1950s/60s elements and also for his multi-layered pieces over dark backgrounds. This set is a great example of these qualities of his design, with its three-dimensional, stylized "Aztec" heads and its mix of bright and dark silver on the heads, the flat links of the necklace and the body of the hinged cuff bracelet. The earrings have screw-backs and the necklace closes with a box clasp, while the bracelet is hinged, as described. Both heads on the earrings face the same direction when worn. The earrings and necklace are marked "Salvador" and "Sterling Mexico". The bracelet is simply marked as "Sterling". The set is in excellent condition, with some very minor verdigris on the dark squares of the cuff bracelet. The hinge on the bracelet is not quite centered, but I think that this is a result of the piece being hand- rather than machine-made, not a result of damage to the piece. For collectors of vintage Mexican silver, and for anyone who appreciates great mid-century design, this set is a lovely find.