Here is my collection of vintage jewelry and decorative objects whose designs, materials, and construction are all characteristic of works produced by mid-century modernist Graziella Laffi, “The Spratling of Peru.” However, it should be noted that most of the motifs employed by Laffi were not original, but based on existing Pre-Inca and Inca imagery, discovered at archaeological sites. It was how she adapted these ancient icons to her particular idiosyncratic vision and technical talents that made her pieces so unique. There were many other highly skilled and creative Peruvian artists who turned to the same Pre-Columbian images for their pieces—pieces that at first glance may appear merely as Laffi copies, but are in fact superbly crafted and imaginative works in their own right. And they should be appreciated as such. You will find examples of such artists and their works in this album.
I am always adding to the album, as I find more of these works. If you would like to purchase pieces such as these—as well as other vintage collectibles—you can contact me directly at: vtgadvantage@aol.com. Or visit my online shops, TheVintageAdvantage on Ruby Lane and/or AdvantageYours on Etsy [just click on the links at the bottom of the homepage].
43 Primitive Stylized Image of Pre-Columbian Cat {Perhaps a Puma} Brooch Pin. 925 silver, 18K gold + enamel. Hammered + nielloed elliptical silver base, with applied gold figural with enamel eyes.
44 Pin back with Old Cuzco hallmark + artist initials RI.
45 Inti Sun God Pin Pendant Surrounded by Ray-like Projections of Serpent and Bird Heads. 925 silver + mottled enamel. Outstanding cutwork and vibrant coloration. Artist unknown.
46 Pin pendant back with hallmark.
47 Swan Pin Pendant. 925 silver + mottled enamel.
48 Hallmark with artist initials that may read CML or GML.
49 Stylized Birds + Pyramid Drop Earrings. 925 silver. Artist unknown.
50 View #2.
51 Backs of earrings.
52 Hallmark.
53 Bird Pin. 925 silver + enamel.
54 Pin back with Industria Peruana hallmark + partial artist initials JCH.
77 Copper + Silver Decorative Shallow Bowl or Wall Hanging. 925 silver + copper with applied verdigris patination.
78 View #2.
79 View #3.
80 View #4.
81 View #5.
82 View #6.
83 View #7.
84 Back showing copper stand for tabletop display, as well as triangular metal hook for hanging.
85 Hallmark with artist initials OSM.
86 Large Peruvian Bird in Flight Silver Pin Pendant. 925 silver. Handwrought depiction of flying cormorant displaying exceptional cutwork, detailed chasing, and surmounted silver. Wonderfully dimensional piece very much in the G. Laffi style.
87 Alternate view.
88 Full-on view.
89 Back of pin pendant, showing old-stye C-clasp and hanging bail.
90 Hallmarks 925, Industria Peruana, and artisan initials JCHM.
91 Massive Peruvian Panel Bracelet with Birds + Fish Figurals. 925 silver. Astounding openwork, cutwork, incising, and fused glass accents.
112 Fabulous Laffi-like Peruvian Lobster or Crayfish Pin. 925 silver and unusual emerald green enamel eye accents. Boasts exceptional cutwork and chased detailing.
113 Convex form creates splendid dimensionality.
114 Full on view.
115 Alternate full on view.
116 Back of pin.
117 Hallmark reading 925 PERU.
118 Exquisitely Designed and Handwrought Laffi Era Peruvian Silver + Gold Cufflinks. .925 silver + 18K gold. Hammered convex, freeform silver plaques with surmounted gold cormorant bird figural.
119 Full front view.
120 Toggle fittings.
121 Old Cuzco hallmarks.
122 Splendid Peruvian Laffi Era Silver Bird Clip Earrings. Handwrought in .925 silver. Remarkably similar to Laffi works, including clip fittings with cutout star.
123 Full front view.
124 View of star clips.
125 Hallmarks.
126 Closeup of hallmarks and clips.
127 Unusual Bracelet by Coro Designed in the Manner of Laffi + Other Peruvian Works, Based on Pre-Columbian Motifs. Cast pewter.
128 Closeup of cormorant bird figure panels.
129 Full-length view.
130 Alternate view.
131 Back of bracelet with hammered textural effect.
132 Hallmark: Pegasus, Coro, copyright symbol.
133 Rare + Dazzling Laffi-like Necklace by Coro in Cast Pewter. Graduating and varied-shaped panels, each displaying an iconic pre-Columbian image, often seen in Laffi and other Peruvian jewelry.
134 Alternate view.
135 Alternate view 2.
136 Closeup of 3 panels.
137 Closeup of next 3 panels.
138 Closeup of last 3 panels.
139 Back of necklace showing textured hammered effect.
140 Closeup of closure fittings.
141 Coro and copyright symbol hallmark.
142 Group of 4 Handwrought Primitive Silver + Enamel Pins. 925 silver + enamel work depicting pre-Columbian mythological icons.
143 Back of pins with crude, handmade wire C-clasps.
144 Each pin marked 925.
145 Fabulously Vibrant Peruvian Sterling Silver + Enamel Brooch Pendant. Depicts pre-Incan Lambayeque figure of “Sican Lord” god. Handwrought in .925 silver with both solid, speckled, and mottled enamelwork.
146 Alternate view.
147 Alternate view.
148 Close up view.
149 Back of pin with hallmarks, including artisan initials CML or GML.
150 Spectacular Peruvian Sterling Silver + Enamel Signed Pendant Depicting Pre-Incan Lambayeque or Sican Civiization Ritual Funerary Mask. These mask designs are among the most emblematic images of ancient Peru. Highly defined + dimensional piece.
151 Full view.
152 Alternate view.
153 Close up view.
154 Alternate view.
155 Back view. Note substantial and well-constructed, hinged bail—also seen on Laffi works.
156 Hallmarks, with artisan initials CML or GML, Peru, 925.
157 Rare + Rarified Signed Peruvian Sterling Silver + 18K Gold Bird in Flight Pin, with Enamel Accent. Handwrought in .925 + surmounted 18K detailing, with poured coral enamel eye, set in raised silver bezel. Piece boasts extraordinary cutwork, piercing, applied metalwork + minimalist tool work. Flying bird appears to be a stylized cockatoo.
179 Superbly Handwrought Chavez Welsch Sterling Silver Crab or Lobster Brooch Pendant
180 Alternate view
181 Full length view
182 Back view
183 Hallmarks
184 Alternate close up view
185 Wonderful Peruvian Old Cuzco Long-haired Llamas Brooch. Applied silver, hand-worked repousse, chasing and oxidizing create superb detail and dimensionality. See G. Laffi version of this design in “Graziella Laffi Vintage Peruvian Jewelry” album.
186 Alternate view.
187 Alternate view.
188 Alternate view.
189 Back view.
190 Close up of hallmark.
191 Whimsical Stylized Modernist Parrot Pin Produced by Welsch. Minimalist design with applied silver, precision cutwork, chasing enhanced by oxidizing.
192 Full view.
193 Alternate view.
194 Alternate view.
195 Back view.
196 Hallmark with Welsch llama mark.
197 Alternate view, emphasizing applied eye.
198 Beautifully Handwrought Sterling Silver Chavez Welsch Pre-Columbian Figural Brooch. Extraordinary workmanship includes both brushed and polished silver elements, meticulous cutwork, minimalist incising, and applied silver.
199 Straight-on full view.
200 Alternate view.
201 Alternate view highlighting silver layering and dimensionality of overall design.
202 Alternate view.
203 Back view.
204 Hallmarks of Chavez + Welsch llama logo.
205 Exceptional Industria Peruana Pre-Columbian Figurals Bracelet. 925 silver + 18K gold. Openwork silver with applied 18K gold stylized, pre-Columbian figures, accented with turquoise blue enameling.
214 I have had the pleasure to collect and sell pieces by this Peruvian silver maker known only as GML, whose jewelry is best recognized for its vivacious, mottled or “marbled” enameling and sculptural silver figurals. Obviously a contemporary of Graziella Laffi, GML is equally well-versed in both ancient and modern motifs.
215 Composed of a delicately wrought rolo chain, it holds eight trapezoidal silver plaques, interconnected by fixed and floating O-rings. The plaques are deeply convex, and their surfaces boast a dazzling palette of red, yellow, green, red, and pink mottled enamels that imbue them with dazzling animation and vitality—with no two exactly alike.
216 Riveted to the center of each plaque is a sterling silver figure, representing either a traditional pre-Hispanic or folkloric Peruvian image. These captivating icons are three-dimensional in form, sporting remarkable detail that is enhanced by heavy oxidizing.
217 A fabulous jewelry piece dating to the 1950’s, this collector quality necklace is simply irresistible!
218 Alternate view.
219 Back of piece.
220 Hallmark.
221 Alternate view.
222 Nicely Handwrought .925 Silver Peruvian Panel Bracelet. The panels are hammered and heavily patinated. Stylized icons of Pre-Inca glyphs are forged in silver and surmounted to the panel surfaces.
223 Alternate view.
224 Alternate view.
225 Alternate view.
226 Alternate view.
227 Back of bracelet.
228 Alternate view.
229 Markings.
230 Alternate view.
231 Large Paneled .925 Silver Peruvian Bracelet with Pre-Columbian Imagery Executed in Openwork.
232 Alternate view.
233 Alternate view.
234 Alternate view.
235 Alternate view.
236 Alternate view.
237 Back of bracelet.
238 Maker initials OV and other markings.
239 Alternate view.
240 Mid-century Sterling Silver + Enamel Inca Figural Pin Pendant by GML or CML.
241 Back view.
242 Mid-century Sterling Silver + Enamel Peruvian Depiction of Inca Sun God Inti by GML or CML.
Beautiful collection. I have some cufflinks marked RI 14749 925/18K. I will sell. - Stephen Henry Pike, Wed, 23 Sep 2020 12:36PM
I have a a open cuff bracelet the same as the one in the G. Laffi Inspired Vintage design page on box 22 just has some different figurals on it. I got it as a gift from my Grandmother before she passed awaya and was wondering if you had any more information on the piece like any meaning behind the bird on it or any of the designs on it. I want to get a tattoo with part of it on it and wanted to know more or the meaning behind it. Thank you! - Kaitlin O'Hara, Tue, 17 Dec 2013 8:46AM
I have just bought a beautiful ring with cml or gml, very similar to the necklace with the enameling and a silver bird on it. Do you know anything else about this silversmith? Would be interested in finding out more - thank you. - Fiona, Sat, 10 Nov 2012 7:37AM
are any of these pieces for sale? - christine sekino, Tue, 24 Apr 2012 9:34PM
Thank you for showing these beautiful items. I have a pair of vintage peruvan 925 silver fighting cocks I am wanting to sell. They are a combined weight of 1kg 100 grams. On is 28.5 cm long and 26.5 high. The other is 16.5cm high (at the highest point) and 29.5 cm long. My husband is from Peru and these have been in his family for many years. Many thanks Anita - anita wilson, Fri, 10 Feb 2012 4:04PM
