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THBMexican Silver & Amethyst Brooch by Frederick W. Davis
Lot 219b
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$800 - $1,200
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| $300 | $50 |
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Frederick W. Davis (American, 1878-1961) ca. 1950s. A fine sterling silver brooch by Frederick W. Davis, set with a large central amethyst cabochon surrounded by a ring of 15 smaller amethyst cabochons. The gemstones display rich violet hues, their translucence catching the light against the soft patina of the silver. The circular form and concentric arrangement of stones create a bold, symmetrical composition characteristic of Davis's modernist Mexican silverwork. The verso bears Davis's stylized "FD" hallmark and is stamped "SILVER / MEXICO." Retaining a functional pin and safety clasp, this piece remains fully wearable. Size: 1.75" Diameter (4.4 cm); silver quality: 93%; weight: 24 grams
Comparable in form and execution to a ca. 1928 example depicted in "Mexican Silver: 20th Century Handwrought Jewelry and Metalwork" by Penny C. Morrill and Carole A. Berk (2001), page 24, plate II-3.
Frederick W. Davis (1878-1961) was a pioneering American-turned-Mexican antiquities dealer, collector, silversmith, and promoter of modern Mexican folk and fine arts. Born in Illinois, he moved to Mexico around 1910 and began working for the Sonora News Company, ultimately managing its artsand-crafts showroom in Mexico City. Davis played a key role in showcasing and elevating Mexican cultural expression. His shop became a vital meeting place for emerging artists of Mexico's modernist movement - including Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, Rufino Tamayo, Miguel Covarrubias, and Jean Charlot - as well as contemporary talents like William Spratling. He began designing and producing fine Mexican silver jewelry in the 1920s and was among the earliest to blend pre-Columbian influences with contemporary forms. His distinctive use of materials - such as amethyst - set a new standard of artistry. Davis's pieces often bear his hallmark, "FD," with the "F" nestled inside the "D," as seen on this brooch.
Provenance: private Livermore, Colorado, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#196762Dark patina and toning. Minor scratches, but otherwise intact and wearable!Condition
- Shipping Info
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