Mexican Sterling Silver Aztec Sun Stone (Calendar) Pendant
Jewelry - Pendant · Likely produced by a silver workshop in Taxco, Mexico. Common makers for this style include Taxco cooperatives or individual smiths identified by 'TM' or 'TS' marks.
Pattern: Aztec Calendar / Sun Stone (Piedra del Sol); a classic of Mexican souvenir and art jewelry produced from the mid-20th century to present.
Type
Jewelry - Pendant
Maker
Likely produced by a silver workshop in Taxco, Mexico. Common makers for this style include Taxco cooperatives or individual smiths identified by 'TM' or 'TS' marks.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) alloy; potentially .950 pure if higher grade Taxco silver. It consists of silver alloyed with copper for durability.
Dimensions
Estimated 25mm to 35mm in diameter; approximate weight 5-12 grams depending on whether the back is hollow or solid.
Description
A circular sterling silver pendant featuring the intricate Aztec Sun Stone motif. The central face of Tonatiuh is surrounded by concentric circles of symbols representing the previous eras and days of the Aztec calendar. The piece utilizes a high-contrast oxidized finish to make the complex iconography legible, framed by a classic nautical rope border.
Key Features
Detailed central Tonatiuh mask; geometric Aztec symbols; contrasting niello-like oxidation; traditional Mexican Taxco rope-twist border.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) alloy; potentially .950 pure if higher grade Taxco silver. It consists of silver alloyed with copper for durability.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized (blackened) background to highlight relief; high-polish raised details. Features repoussé or die-struck Aztec iconography with a twisted rope border.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Expected marks on bail or reverse: '925', 'Mexico', and often an Eagle mark or a letter/number combination (e.g., TS-01) indicating the city and maker registration.
Construction Details
Likely die-struck or cast plate with an applied twisted wire (rope) frame. The bail is a separate component soldered to a jump ring.
Functional Features
Oversized bail designed to accommodate various chain thicknesses or leather cords.
Handle & Grip Details
Not applicable; pendant bail is solid sterling silver with a fold-over design.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-assisted die-striking for the central plate with hand-finishing and manual soldering for the border and bail.
Authentication Indicators
Traditional Mexican construction; presence of '925' or 'Sterling' marks (assumed on reverse); characteristic Taxco-style soldering at the bail.
Origin & Manufacturing
Taxco de Alarcón, Guerrero, Mexico; the historic center of Mexican silver craftsmanship.
Era & Period
Late 20th Century (post-1970). The style is a revival of the 'Taxco Silver Renaissance' which began in the 1930s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970–1990 based on the sharpness of the border and the typical bail construction.
Cultural Significance
Represents Mexican national identity and 'Indigenismo,' celebrating the country's pre-Hispanic heritage through modern craftsmanship.
Condition Notes
Good condition; visible surface tarnish and light scratches consistent with wear. The oxidation in the recessed areas remains intact.
Value Estimate
$25 - $65 USD; value is primarily based on weight and the popularity of the motif rather than a specific artisan name.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a silver polishing cloth on raised surfaces only; avoid liquid dips which will strip the intentional black oxidation from the background.
Similar Pieces
Mayan Calendar pendants (more rectangular themes); Modernist Taxco jewelry (abstract); Peruvian 950 silver sun pendants (lighter weight, different iconography).
Interesting Facts
The 'calendar' is actually a sacrificial altar stone. Small versions like this became the most popular tourist souvenir in Mexico following the discovery of the Great Temple in the 1970s.