William Spratling Taxco Mexican Silver and Copper Cuff Bracelet, Modernist

Beautiful vintage copper necklace made in Mexico. By ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s, unsigned. Measures: 4" H x 1.75" W In excelle...

Modern scarab design vintage mixed metal necklace made in Mexico by ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Signed on the back: Ken Beldin. In excellent vintage condition. The pendant measures: 3" H x 2 1/4" W. The necklace chain is made of copper, shells, beads, and leather and is approximately 20" total length. The pendant bears a lovely green patina and hangs from the original chain. Ken Beldin (1900-?) was born in Mississippi and was educated at U. of C. Berkeley. He retired as head of a successful ad agency in Los Angeles in 1931 to travel through the Southwest. He worked for a time with Mexico’s National Railways attracting tourists to travel to Mexico by rail and was drawn into the rugged beauty of Mexico and its people. He set up a studio in Tenencingo South of Mexico City near Taxco and began creating one of a kind jewelry and sculpture. He was the custodian of a collection of archeological Pre-Columbian stones, and it was from these he derived his motifs. His "modern Ethnic" jewelry was considered to have the most feeling and the most authentic look of the Period. He worked throughout the 1940s and 1950s with copper, brass, steel, wood and leather. His work was admired and collected by some of the elite of Hollywood including Barbara Hutton, Edward G. Robinson, James Cagny and Sammy Davis, Jr. His friends in Mexico who also purchased his work were: Diego Riviera...