Marks on water carrier pin

[castaway22]

I would really appreciate some help identifying the maker of this wonderful chinese water carrier pin. It is marked sterling on one end of the stick and Mexico on the other end. In the middle of his body is the mark pictured below. Can anyone tell me who made this guy?
thanks

donna

http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i37 ... C06684.jpg
http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i37 ... C06681.jpg

(admin photo edit - images too large - link only - see Posting Requirements )

[dognose]

Hi Donna,

Can you please post images of all of the marks?

Trev.

[castaway22]

Sorry about that, I'll try again.

[castaway22]

This pic is a little better, hard to get light and focus just right ;-)

[Ryaan2000]

First things first, the mark you see in the center of this pin is the same markings it has on it's sides. If you view it where your mark picture is upside down (behind the water carrier with him standing upright) you'll see that it just says "STERLING MEXICO".

That being said, the maker of this piece is unknown. Not only is there no specific maker's mark to ID it (other than just "MEXICO STERLING"), but there are a lot of different makers that used just those markings back in the day. It was probably made in a small workshop in Taxco another major Mexican city for the tourist trade. I *can* tell you that it is probably 1930s Mexican silver, perhaps early 40s at the latest. The piece itself is pre-eagle mark, meaning that it was made before 1946 when the "eagle mark" was made a standard marking on Mexican jewelry. Most makers of this era are unknown with the exception of more well known studio makers who actually signed their jewelry (Spratling comes to mind, among others).

Don't let that detract from the brooch. 1930s Mexican silver pieces are great quality, even the unknown makers like this. In fact, I was helping at an estate sale a few months ago and they had an identical pin to this that I almost bought myself! I find it interesting that a Mexican silversmith would make a brooch in the shape of a CHINESE water carrier.

[castaway22]

Thank you so much for your response. I'm sorry I didn't get back to the forum for so long. I really appreciate the information that you have given me. There is so much to learn :-)
Donna