Presented is a truly exceptional quality vintage sterling silver picture frame, likely of Mexican make, dating to around the 1950s-1960s. The frame is made entirely from thick, heavy gauge sterling silver, carved back so the decoration stands out in crisp high relief. The sides show Aztec figures holding spears and wearing elaborate feathered and crested headdresses, gods or warriors of some kind presumably, each standing on a small crouching figure and supported by quetzalcoatl type feathered serpents, whose long intertwining plumes make up the decoration on the lower portion of the frame. Along the top are bold stylized flowers with interwoven stems and leaves. The quality of the decoration is incredible, and all done by hand. The frame has a black velvet back with easel type stand, which is held to the silver frame with three sturdy pivoting silver tabs and two little brackets at the bottom.
The frame is in excellent condition. The details of the decoration are quite crisp and sharp. The tabs that hold the backing in place are working well. No breaks and no repairs.
This piece is stamped and guaranteed sterling, as well as a maker's mark of JH, which we unfortunately do not recognize.
The frame measures about 10 1/4 x 8 3/8 inches and the viewing area for a photo is about 7 x 5 inches.
The weight for just the silver portion of the frame is 648 grams or 22.9 regular ounces. The total weight including glass and backing is 2.4 pounds. -jm
