Earrings: Mid-Century Salvador Terán Lapis
Earrings: Mid-Century Salvador Terán Lapis
A fantastic pair of Salvador Terán earrings from Mexico and dating from the 1950’s.
I came across these lapis burst designs, identified the hallmark, and immediately knew to offer what I could to the informed seller. What a rare opportunity to hold the work of one of the Masters of early Taxco metalwork.
I have never seen any offerings of his on the market like these. Often you will find atomic necklaces, traditional Aztec faces, abstract silver brooches/pendants, and his mosaics, so these are beyond exciting to have.
They have the standard screw back closure expected in that era, the lapis is tumbled yet raw, and the metal is substantial. He incorporated his piercing burst design but in a blunt manner, then contrasted it with an organic overlap bezel setting. Very Cool. A significant find for the Mexican silver collector, but also very much in a condition to be confidently worn by anyone who appreciates mid-century artists.
I will be fortunate to hold another piece of his this unique. Everything is one of a kind, but these..these truly are so special.
Read more about Salvador Terán in the additional information below.
Measurements: 1 1/4” L | 28g total
Salvador Vaca Terán (1920 – 1974)
Known primarily as a Mexican modernist, Salvador Terán was born in Taxco and was a cousin of the Castillo family. He began work for William Spratling (“The Father of Mexican Silver”) at Las Delicias in the 1930s.
He is considered an exceptional designer, innovator, and silversmithing technician whose specialties include mosaics and jewelry. In 1939, he left Las Delicias to become a founding member of Los Castillos, the renowned Taxco workshop that produced exquisite mixed-metal works. He stayed at Los Castillos, creating jewelry sold under their mark, until 1952. He then moved to Mexico City to open his own shop, La India Bonita that ultimately employed twenty-five silversmiths.
Terán is well known for trays, wall hangings, coffee sets, and boxes that are usually brass with brightly colored glass. His jewelry creations often make use of overlapping planes set against oxidized backgrounds.
He also uses pierced forms with shadowboxed backgrounds that make some of his pieces look surreal. Although his designs are often sleek and modern for the time in which he created them, Salvador was also greatly influenced by pre Columbian art. Terán pieces also combine metal with stone mosaics to create trays and pitchers.
A fine example of Terán’s jewelry design is a raw emerald necklace that is about 75 inches wide at the widest point and to measure for length, but only about 16 inches long when worn. It lays flat since it is wired from link to link giving it fluidity of motion.
All of Salvador’s work in jewelry and other disciplines is highly collectible, quite rare, and rarely surfaces on the vintage jewelry market.
-Buy My Gold
As per standard, very early vintage is not polished unless requested. Silver will naturally polish the more that it is worn.
All jewelry is sold as is & is non-refundable.
All pieces are selected for their high quality condition & uniqueness.
