Mexican sterling art cat brooch

Anybody know the artist of this cat ?

 

Interesting. I can barely make out "Mexico". I believe this might be a copy of a Georg Jensen (Denmark) piece.

http://www.goantiques.com/georg-jensen-sterling-34007128

 

Aren't you clever? Certainly looks it.

Debora

 

Wow Lucille, your good...Thank You

 

Good find, Lucille! I haven't been able to ID the silversmith, but believe the silversmith's initials are JAL located in Tlaquepaque, Mexico. The following is a link to a Mexican silver brooch with the same circle mark of "Plata, 925" in the middle and encircled with "Tlaquepaque - JAL - Mexico -."
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tlaquepaque...tage-cactus-sombrero-man-brooch-/231975453556

Not listed in Hougart's Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks.

--- Susan

 

The following brooch on Ruby lane has the same mark. The seller thinks it might be by Damaso Gallegos. Hougart does not show this nark for Gallegos.
https://www.rubylane.com/item/338449-RL3287/Vintage-Mex78ican-Sterling-Silver-Holiday-Holly

--- Susan

 

JAL is an abbreviation for "Jalisco," the Mexican state Tlaquepaque is located in.

Debora

 

Well, that explains alot. I have now seen many of these circle marks with Tlaquepaque and Jal. Hougart lists a Guadeloupe with JAL mark. Guadeloupe is also in the state of Jalisco. Hougart says the Guadeloupe, JAL circle mark with "Plata 925" has an "Eagle 4" mark for silversmith "JLL." He doesn't know who JLL was. As we can't see an Eagle mark on this brooch, we can't say if JLL also. Only thing can be sure of is the silver purity of .925 and made in the state of Jalisco.

--- Susan

 

Nice find Ladybranch....

 

Sweet..Thank You

 

Great detective work!

Billy - what ever you do, give this kitty a good bath before you list.

 

Agreed, great detective work on the Mexican origin.

I sold the Georg Jensen Jopol version a few years ago for around $200. That's why I was so quick with the ID. It is an iconic Joan Polsdorfer (Jopol) design. Jopol pieces have a huge following, a prices are strong. But has to be Jopol. The quality on the one I sold was very high, the design of that pin is slightly different than this one. Facing a different direction, tail wraps up and around, etc., little emerald colored cabochon for an eye. It was a very well made piece in the hand.

I'm afraid that Billy's pin is missing the eye, and could be wrong, but photo looks like the pin back might be missing. (?)

Having the original eye missing is going to impact the value. If the pin back is also missing, since this seems to be a Mexican copy, not sure this has much more than meltdown but could be wrong. (If the pin back is there, by all means polish and try to sell. You never know. People do love cats! )

 

with what, I don't have any cleaner. How much should I ask

 

With a missing stone eye, I would consider it scrap.

Debora