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Review by Manon Kavesky

Title: Mexican Jewelry

Author:  Mary L Davis and Greta Pack

Type of Book: paperback

Average Price:  CHEAP! Starting at $4.95 on Amazon
In Print: yes
Pages: 262

Brief Description of Book:
This is a classic book on jewelry first published in 1963. Mexican Jewelry covers a Mexico that I am sure has been lost to progress. It is fascinating armchair travel guide on jewelry. The first half of the book goes deep into the history of Mexico, the conquest of Mexico by the Spanish the different regions of the country and the jewelry that is created in these regions. Nice focus on Mexican motifs from the pre-Hispanic period you may even be able to identify some of those unusual shaped creatures that are on some pieces. The book focuses on adornment for women as well as a short section on the men’s Charro style. The authors always keep the text jewelry related.

The second half of the book dives into the silver masters of 20th century Mexico that we are more familiar with. There is a section on techniques and an index as well as a bibliography. This is a scholarly book published by the University of Texas and not jewelry porn. There are black and white line drawings and black and white photos. Some readers may consider the photos a negative and there were a lot of comments on Amazon.com about the lack of glossy photographs.  I read and cross-referenced with my computer when I wanted to see something in color. I know that is a bit cumbersome but it worked for me. It may not work for you however.


Quantity of Illustrations:  something on about half of the pages either line drawings or black and white photos about 130 images
Score: 6 scoring low because it is not in color

Quality of visual material: drawings are professionally rendered photos are clear and crisp
B/w: ALL
Color Photos: NONE just the cover
Score: 6 again a low score due to the lack of color not the reproduction of the photos or drawings

Quantity of Information: tons!
Is the information thorough? It seems to be. This book is often referenced in newer books on Mexican jewelry it is nice to read the original and get the information in context.

Comments: Really interesting to read. I will paraphrase one of my favorite moments in the book I hope that is ok.
Date: the late 1700’s
Place: Mexico City

A style leader the Marquesa de Branciforte the wife of the viceroy of Mexico didn’t feel as if her pearls measured up to the Mexican ladies who dripped in pearls. So she appeared at a grand occasion dressed in a coral suite. She announced coral was the fashion in Europe. In response the fashionable ladies who saw her sold their pearls had coral pieces made up and the Marquesa went to the jewelry shops and bought up all the pearls that had been traded in!  


Score: 8

Quality of Information: very interesting

Comments: I really liked the in depth treatment of regional styles of Mexican jewelry. The authors must have been driving around Mexico for months maybe even years. Going from region to region to photograph and learn about the styles. They talk to small town jewelers about their craft, ladies on the street and in the marketplaces about their adornments.  They seem to have a great time buying jewelry. All the big names are here too Spratling, Matl, Margot etc. but that is not the value added in this book.

Score  10

User Friendly:
Is the book easy to read and follow? Yes
Is there a table of contents? Yes
Is information easy to find? Yes
Score: 9

Average score: 7
Is this book a must have?  
Yes it is priced right. Starting at $4.95 used. But it is for readers who want to get deeper into the subject of Mexican Jewelry and not for readers who want to read about the life of William Spratling.
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