Sourced from a private Oaxacan collection. There is no second one.
The silversmith who made this necklace in Oaxaca during the 1980s was working in a tradition that had already survived five centuries. His method — hand-coiling silver wire into floral chains, setting natural coral at the centerpiece — required the kind of sustained attention that almost no working artisan today is willing to commit to a single piece. This necklace spent decades in a private Oaxacan collection before coming to us. It weighs 112 grams, measures 36 inches, and carries the unmistakable patina of careful storage and real age. It is not a reproduction. There is no way to reproduce it.
About this piece
This is an authentic vintage piece of filigrana oaxaqueña from circa 1980, sourced directly in Oaxaca from a private collection. The silver is hand-twisted filigree — wire coiled into elaborate floral patterns by a craftsperson trained in the pre-1990s Oaxacan tradition, when this level of labor was still economically viable. The coral is natural Mediterranean coral rojo, which is now subject to international harvest restrictions and is increasingly difficult to source. The clasp is original to the piece. The patina is earned.
Stone: Natural Mediterranean red coral (coral rojo)
Technique: Traditional hand-coiled and soldered Oaxacan filigree
Origin: Oaxaca, Mexico
Era: Vintage, circa 1980
Provenance: Sourced from a private Oaxacan collection
Dimensions
Length: 36.0 inches (91.4 cm)
Frequently asked questions
Is this actually vintage — not a reproduction? Yes. This is an authentic circa-1980 Oaxacan filigree necklace sourced directly from a private collection in Oaxaca. It is not a reproduction. The patina, weight (112 grams), and construction are all consistent with pre-1990s Oaxacan workshop production.
Is the coral natural Mediterranean coral? Yes — natural Mediterranean coral rojo. This variety is now subject to international harvest restrictions, making existing pieces of this quality increasingly rare.
Why is vintage Oaxacan filigree so collectible? Almost no working artisan today will commit the 80-plus hours of hand labor required for a piece at this level. The pre-1990s generation of Oaxacan filigree makers produced work that cannot be replicated at current labor economics — which means pieces like this represent a finite and diminishing supply.
