Silversmith: Melesio Rodriguez
Location of Manufacture: Taxco, Mexico
Period of Manufacture: c1960s
Length: 15 1/2"
Weight: 90g

For your consideration is a stunning sterling silver and enamel snake-form necklace by Melesio/Melicio Rodriguez. The articulated form is masterful in both design and decoration and the coloration and crispness of the enamels is quite breath-taking. The necklace carries Rodriguez's maker's mark on its underside, near the closure.

"During his years working at the famed Margot de Taxco shop, Rodriguez mastered and honed his artisan skills. He was so gifted and responsible, van Voorhies gave him an artisan foreman position. He oversaw a staff of hundreds of artisans producing Margot de Taxco pieces. Over his years of dedicated service, Rodriguez and van Voorhies developed a trusted and loyal bond.

However, in the mid-1950s, the government shut down the Margot de Taxco shop. When the shop closed, van Voorhies gave Rodriguez a majority of the existing design molds.

Rodriguez is only one of a handful of artisans still alive today from the crew that made the Margot de Taxco shop a worldwide brand. He is the only artisan who is still actively producing pieces from these molds today, and it is a lasting legacy that should be celebrated. He represents a bridge from the past to the present, lending a hint of something magical to each and every single piece he produces."

Provenance: From a private collection in New Orleans, Louisiana.

keywords: reptile cobra python art deco midcentury modern hollywood regency van voorhies mexican 925 master taller antonio castillo william spratling hector aguilar salvador teran choker signed designer handmade artisan fashion accessory runway haute couture statement piece

Item is in excellent condition with no damage, breaks, bends, personalizations, missing pieces or repairs. There are some spots where the enamel did not adhere during the firing process but this is considered a normal occurrence with these types of handmade wares of the period. None of these areas or overly distracting or detract from the collectibility of the piece. We have not polished this offering and will leave that to the discretion and expertise of the winning bidder.

6.5 x 5.75 x 1 in

90 g