Hector Aguilar Large Quetzel Vintage MEXICAN BIRD Sterling Silver PIN BROOCH

  
Mexican silver quetzal turquoise pin brooch with the mark for the famous artist Hector Aguilar. Héctor Aguilar Making pieces under the Taller Borda umbrella, Hector's pieces were known for their pre-Columbian motifs and geometric forms, as well as their impeccable craftsmanship. This one of a kind quetzal bird was created in Mexico and features two small pieces of turquoise on the flowering branch. The Resplendent Quetzal likely inspired Quetzalcoatl, the "plumed serpent" god of Mesoamerica. Legend has it that Quetzalcoatl helped create Earth. Rulers and nobility wore headdresses made from this trogon's shining green feathers, which symbolically connected them to the god. Sterling Silver and Turquoise "Quetzel" bird pin, vintage pre 1948, 4? Héctor Aguilar began working for William Spratling as the manager at Spratling's Taller de Las Delicias in 1936. He left Las Delicias in 1939 to open his own workshop. Many individuals who worked for Aguilar and per- fected their skills in his shop are recognized in their own right for their per- sonal artistry.

They include Manuel Altamirano, Pedro Castillo, Reveriano Castillo, Roberto Cuevas, Dámaso Gallegos, Gabriel Flores, Jose Luis Flores and Valentin Vidaurreta. A very early KTV mark comes from the names of Kim and Tamara Schee and Valentin Vidaurreta, who were among Aguilar's early financial backers (Morrill, 2002). In 1943, Héctor Aguilar entered into a business arrangement with Gerald Rosenberger, owner of the New York jewelry firm Coro. Items made at Aguilar's shop under this agreement are marked Coro and Mexico or Mex.

The venture had dissolved by 1950, but the strong influence of Aguilar can be seen in many Coro pieces from the 1940's The mark in A-9 may be an early mark (stylized and conjoined TB) for the trade name Taller Borda. Aguilar's new retail shop, Taller Borda, was officially launched in 1948. During World War II, Aguilar's shop also produced military flight wings for the National Silver Company (A-12). Aguilar also contracted with Horacio de la Parra's Platería Azteca to produce hollowware The "Az- teca" items are marked with eagle 9 or 31 and a design or production num- ber. Most likely, Platería Azteca was absorbed by the large Conquistador company for a few years and the Aguilar mark is thereafter found on items made at Conquistador, also stamped with eagle.

The Taller Borda closed in 1962. Great addition to your collection.