The metal is heavily patinated & proudly shows it's age. The angel on the right side however, is missing it's turquoise.(See photos) In the center is a table cut, cut of turquoise that is framed by small red coral cuts that lay in a cross pattern. Off the sides of the cross, hang the kneeling angels that have a twisted wire halo & a candlestick in hand.A tiny cut of turquoise sits in the candlestick. The Paloma's that face inward at the top of the cross are one of her earlier styles that you can see in the way they are tooled.At all points of the cross,there is a soften "U" shape of little turquoise beads that sit in her signature 'garland' style, where they lay side by side in one bezel rather than being individually set.A pear shape cut of turquoise sits outside this area. This is a very old & very rare stand that may only be 4" tall in height, but has a 10 feet tall presence when it comes to design, workmanship & history! Matilde brought her "Kneeling Angel" design to the industry just under 100 years ago & is signature to only her & her alone. Unlike this amazing artist's jewelry,Ms Poulat's ornate religious stands are not the easiest to come across,since they are highly collectible & have gone into the hands of collectors. To this day, her work is HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE! Her jewelry was worn & collected by celebrities in Mexico(Including Frida Kahlo) & the 'elite of America. Every piece made, are literally works of art. Another one of her signature styles was her time consuming 'chasing' work in the metal,as well as using 'pyramidal' cuts of amethyst. She was known for laying round turquoise or coral cabochons, all in one bezel that was then crimped' to hold the stones in, rather than setting them individually & you will see the perfect example of this style in this stand,which gives her piece's a whole different look, because of this. Each designer during the Mexican Silver Renaissance days had their own unique style,but it was Matilde,who brought the beautiful motifs of doves, flowers, tiny bells & angels that are reminiscent of the whimsical subjects of contemporary Mexican folk art.The beauty of her metal work,was so time consuming & was considered Baroque in style with a undeniably "Mexican" look. She produced some of the most ornate jewelry that was being produced in Mexico back in the day.The inspirations she fell back on were inspired from the Mixtec people of Monte Alban, Oaxaca area. She opened shop in 1934 & ended up having her own 'signature look",which to this day people still pay homage to her designs. Matl produced some of the most ornate jewelry in Mexico.Designed by Matilde Poulat (AKA "Matl" (Aztec for "Water") who is & always will be one of my personal favorites that made her fame during the "Mexican Silver Renaissance Days" & later.She was a painter & designer 1st & was born in the Yucatan & later on went to study at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City at the same time the famous muralist & husband to Frida Kahlo,Diego Rivera was studying there.One of her 1st teachers was a "P.OCHOA",a man whose works you rarely come across & you will find Matl's earliest works,emulating Ochoa's,which was nothing like the style she ended up owning. Matl opened her shop in 1934 and created her own signature look which people still emulate to this day. Rivera's wife, famous painter Frida Kahlo, was a patron of her work. Matilde Poulat (aka Matl) was born in the Yucatan and later on went to study at the San Carlos Academy in Mexico City at the same time as the famous muralist Diego Rivera. Signed to the verso with Matl, Mexico, 925. The full centerpiece measures 2.17" from top to the bottom of the middle drop. The necklace measures 18" long and weighs a total of 46.2 grams. Below is a dangling embellishment with three coral cabochons, leading to three silver drops each with a turquoise cabochon. The focal point of the necklace is a centerpiece with bezel-set turquoise and a large center kite-shaped amethyst. The decorated box clasp is handmade as well. This necklace, circa the 1950s, features linked panels of hand-chased silver dotted with turquoise cabochons and accented with two pyramidal amethysts. A very fine example of Matl (Matilde Poulat)'s incredible jewelry design and handworked silversmithing talent.
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