1. Can you give a short introduction about yourself?
I’m a sculptor and graphic designer in addition to dealing vintage Mexican metalwork. I grew up in Maine, where my early years were spent in Belfast, a coastal town. We lived in an amazing 1840 Georgian house and my mother worked for an auctioneer every summer, so I got involved in antiques when I was very young.

2. How did you become passionate about Mexican jewellery?
My brother was an antique dealer, and he and his partner had great modernist stuff. First they got me into early plastics, and once in a while they’d have a piece of Mexican jewellery. It’s been so long I can’t remember which thing really got me going but it may have been a Los Ballesteros chevron link bracelet. I started buying those big, clunky tourist bracelets with the faces at thrift stores, then later on I found out that those designs were adaptations of amazing artist pieces. I’d been collecting for a few years when the first Morrill and Berk book came out, and it blew my mind to find out there was not only this whole universe of amazing Mexican work, but also that many many people were taking it very seriously. That was a first, considering how, among many antique dealers, Mexican silver was synonymous with cheap trinkets in those days.

3. What makes Mexican jewellery fascinating for you?
Its strength of both design and craft. The way that Olmec and Mayan art is so beautifully designed that it was brought into the 20th century with little or no stylistic modifications. It’s timeless and compelling. And the technical skills those guys had. You don’t see much of that kind of work anymore, but those Castillo brothers. . . I wish I would have met them—especially Chato. Someday I want someone—even if it has to be me—to write a proper history of those guys. Everyone talks about Spratling but the Castillo brothers brought Spratling’s visions to life and went on to revive ancient techniques while being very modern and innovative.

4. What are three favourite pieces of jewellery?
Only three? I guess I’d have to say that among my favorites are Reveri charm bracelets. I can’t resist them. Then there are Salvador earrings, my Ric pagoda set and one or two little Spratling and Aguilar treasures. I don’t have a big-money collection at all; not lots of fancy parures or boxes of Margot.

If I could afford whatever I wanted, I’d buy all the Spratling North Star series I could find. And the biggest, heaviest Hector Aguilar necklaces. And a Margot “Hourglass” set with the hours of the day on each link. And there are some Los Castillo designs I’m still hunting for.

5. When do you wear jewellery?
I wear one or two pieces of jewellery every day, even if it’s just a ring or a bracelet. I feel naked without at least one piece of silver. If I have an opening or some kind of shindig, I’ll break out my amethyst parure. Strangely, it’s not signed but each link looks like a paisley with a teardrop-shaped amethyst. And of course I love my Agnes Seebass necklace, the one with cones and glass beads they sold for the “Maestros de Plata” show. That’s a treasure. Her designs are fabulous.

6. What is your favourite colour?
I honestly don’t have a favorite color! There is no such thing as an ugly color; only a bad context for a color.

7. Where did you last go on vacation?
My friend and I went to Italy—my first time in Europe. We were in Florence mostly. Everything was so beautiful. We’re still talking about the salads! I hope to visit Mexico City to see Luis Barragan’s architecture and maybe get to Taxco, although there doesn’t seem to be much left now. Sigi Pineda is about the only one of the old guys left and I’m not sure he’s very interested in having strangers knocking at his door.

8. What are your favourite sayings?
I don’t know if this is a saying, but my philosophy about art is that you should always buy the very best you can afford.

9.  Name one thing you worry about running out of.
I can’t decide whether the answer is time or money—they’re both in limited supply!

10. What are your super powers?
An eagle eye for quality would be my main superpower. And I guess the corollary to that would be an ability to appreciate the under appreciated.

Thanks for the interview to Kim from kbuenovintage.com

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