Mid-Century Modern Mexican Sterling Silver Nut or Bonbon Bowl with Applied Disc Accents
Hollowware (Nut or Candy Bowl) · Unknown Mexican Taller (Atelier/Workshop); likely a maker from the Taxco or Mexico City region during the 1950s design boom. Mexican silver from this era is renowned for hand-wrought quality and modernist aesthetics inspired by William Spratling.
Pattern: Modernist Geometric Pattern; typically unnamed but part of the 20th-century Mexican Silver Renaissance. These pieces were often produced in small batches by independent craftsmen.
Type
Hollowware (Nut or Candy Bowl)
Maker
Unknown Mexican Taller (Atelier/Workshop); likely a maker from the Taxco or Mexico City region during the 1950s design boom. Mexican silver from this era is renowned for hand-wrought quality and modernist aesthetics inspired by William Spratling.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925) or possibly .950 high-purity silver. The piece appears to be solid precious metal rather than plated, given the characteristic oxidation and tarnish patterns seen in the image.
Dimensions
Estimated 4 to 5 inches in diameter and approximately 2 inches in height. Based on typical Mexican hollowware of this era, the weight likely ranges from 120 to 180 grams (3.8 to 5.8 troy ounces).
Description
This is a quintessential example of Mid-Century Modern Mexican hollowware. The bowl features a rounded, soft-square profile that avoids sharp corners in favor of organic, sculptural lines. Its beauty lies in its simplicity—accentuated only by three small, circular pads at the base that lift the vessel slightly. The heavy tarnish currently visible hides a likely brilliant or soft-satin luster that defines high-quality Mexican silver of this period.
Key Features
Applied circular feet; hand-raised organic shape; significant silver wall thickness; lack of ornate engraving which emphasizes the purity of the metal form.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925) or possibly .950 high-purity silver. The piece appears to be solid precious metal rather than plated, given the characteristic oxidation and tarnish patterns seen in the image.
Finish & Decoration
Satin or matte hand-finished surface with heavy tarnish/oxidation (patina). The primary decoration consists of three applied circular silver discs at the base, serving both a decorative and stabilizing function. The style is strictly Mid-Century Modern/Minimalist.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not clearly visible in the photo, but typically found on the underside base. Expected marks would include 'Sterling' or '925', 'Mexico', and an Eagle assay mark (numbered 1 through 200) or a maker's mark consisting of two letters and a number (e.g., TS-24).
Construction Details
Hand-raised and planished. The bowl displays the soft, rounded contours characteristic of being hammered from a flat sheet of silver. The three foot-pegs or discs are hand-soldered to the body.
Functional Features
Open vessel design for serving dry goods (nuts, candies) or as a vanity catch-all. The tri-point base provides stable footing on flat surfaces.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A (Handleless design). The grip is meant to be the body of the bowl itself, which features a smooth, organic curvature for easy handling.
Craftsmanship Details
Evident hand-craftsmanship in the slight asymmetry of the curves and the solder points of the base discs. The gauge of silver appears thick, suggesting a high-quality 'Taxco School' production rather than mass-produced tourist ware.
Authentication Indicators
The soft rounding of the rim and the slightly irregular, hand-wrought appearance of the curves are consistent with authentic 20th-century Mexican workshop production. Authentic hallmarks on the base would be the final confirming factor.
Origin & Manufacturing
Mexico (likely Taxco or Mexico City). Mexican silver manufacturing from this period combined indigenous craftsmanship with international modernist design influences.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1945–1970). The minimalist, organic form and the use of geometric applied elements are hallmark indicators of the post-WWII design movement in Mexico.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950–1965. The silhouette and the specific style of 'disc feet' were highly popular during this mid-century peak of Mexican silversmithing.
Cultural Significance
Mexican modernist silver is highly collectible as it represents a fusion of Pre-Columbian motifs and European Bauhaus-influenced modernism, serving as a status symbol for mid-century travelers and collectors.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. The piece shows significant surface oxidation and 'fire scale' or heavy tarnish that requires professional cleaning. There are visible surface smudges and potential light scratches, but the structural integrity appears sound with no visible splits or major dents.
Value Estimate
$150 – $350 USD. Value depends heavily on the identification of the maker's mark on the bottom and the final weight. Signed pieces by recognized maestros can exceed this range.
Care & Maintenance
Gently clean with warm water and mild dish soap first. Follow with a high-quality silver cream (like Wright's) using a soft cotton cloth. Avoid 'silver dips' for this piece as they can be too harsh on hand-wrought finishes.
Similar Pieces
Works by Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, or Antonio Pineda. Pineda's work often uses similar applied geometric shapes but generally commands much higher premiums.
Interesting Facts
Taxco, Mexico became a global 'Silver City' primarily due to the American designer William Spratling, who moved there in 1929 and transformed the local industry from mining to artistic jewelry and hollowware production.