Caroline's Jewelry with a Past is offering a sterling silver parure by Margot de Taxco (Margot vanVoorhies Carr) in her design style #5618, circa 1955. While this set has no name, it is similar in style to the "Jeweled" designs of some of her other pieces. This three piece suite consists of a necklace and earrings. The pieces feature a sterling silver base with translucent champleve enamel done in two colors, a bright, deep gold and a rich aubergine or eggplant purple. This is an unusual color combination which works on the swirled design. The bib style centerpiece features twin fan shapes facing each other with "streamers". The centers are attached at the center with a single ring. The "fans" are highlighted by purple splashes of color reminiscent of amethysts. The two centerpieces together are 3-1/8" wide (maximum dimensions) X 1-7/8" high (maximum dimensions). The necklace has 15 individual links in purple enamel set in silver with a push in style clasp topped by one of the links. Each link is 7/8" long and are attached with a single flat link. The necklace is 15" to 15-1/4" long and weighs 40.9 grams. The necklace is marked "Margot de Taxco" (partially stamped) + "5618" + "Made in Mexico" + "Sterling” + an Eagle 16 mark. The earrings feature the same motif as the centerpiece of the necklace. They are 1-3/8“ long (maximum dimensions) X 1-1/16“wide (maximum dimensions) and are clip back. One earring has "Margot de Taxco" + "5618" and the second earring, "Made in Mexico" + "Sterling" + the Eagle 16 mark (lightly stamped). The three pieces weigh a total of 55.9 grams.

Margot van Voorhies Carr, known as Margot de Taxco, was originally from San Francisco and moved to Taxco Mexico in the 1930's. She was married for a time to Antonio Castillo who was a partner in Los Castillo, a prominent silver manufacturer. She did a number of their designs in the 1930's and 1940's. When she left the marriage and started her own jewelry production about 1948, she began with many of her basic Los Castillo designs and modified them to her own tastes. Later, her designs became key to her unique style of jewelry. She perfected the glass enamel techniques used in her most exciting pieces. Most of the enamel pieces feature champleve enamel, although Margot called it "basse-taille." This type of enamel is produced when cells in the piece are filled with vitreous or glass enamels and then fired to produce rich colors and depths. Each color must be fired at different temperatures to produce the effects desired, so each piece could be fired a number of times. Due to the various enamels and techniques used, there may be wear or discoloration of the enamel in spots. There may be normal surface scratches on the item. We will note any actual loss of enamel.

The silver content of this piece has been tested using standard accepted testing methods, such as acid testing. The silver is marked "Sterling" on the necklace and one earring.

When you own vintage handmade jewelry, you wear a design that is unique and represents the artist's vision. It is made by a skilled craftsman and can have features which are only found in this piece. The jewelry may exhibit the marks of the craftsman. It will not be perfect. There may be surface scratches on the item. There is no loss of enamel. This piece features Margot de Taxco enameling techniques which will show varying depths of colors that is part of the beauty of the piece.