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BERNICE GOODSPEED Mexico sterling silver, brass and copper pears necklace

Price: $348.00
Description MEXICO  mixed metals necklace, which I thought was made by Bernice I Goodspeed, but see my note below.  It is a pears motif in sterling silver, brass and copper with the shield 23 mark, 15-1/2" by 1".  It weighs a total of 2.4 ounces.

Bernice Goodspeed worked from about 1938-1971, and while she was born an American she moved to Mexico 1930 and began making silver jewelry and objects in the late 1930s.  She was inspired by ancient Columbian motifs.

(Ref: http://www.925-1000.com/mx_bernice_X.html).  There is a chapter about her work in the wonderful book, "Mexican Silver" by Penny Morrill and Carol Berk starting on page 129.

Note: An expert in Mexican jewelry told me that the first mark with the number 23 is the Eagle assay mark, which was assigned to Bernice Goodspeed, and also assigned to several other Mexican silver jewelry makers.  The second mark could well be one of the maker marks of Goodspeed.  She had 3 recognized hallmarks, two of which were a "B" within an incised circle.  The mark photographed here does show a hint of an incised circle, but it difficult to read, so cannot positively indicte that the piece is by Goodspeed.  The motif of the necklace is not typical of her work.  So I may be wrong about who made this necklace.  If anyone has more information, please let me know.

This necklace is in very good vintage condition with normal wear for it's age.  Whether or not it is by Goodspeed, it's a wonderful necklace.

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Product #N62393
All items in excellent vintage condition unless otherwise noted.
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