***RARE Circa 1950's- Triple Tier- 1945 Dos Peso & 1945 Dos y Medio (2.5) Hildago 22K Gold Coin- 14k Gold Oaxaca Earrings - From "Ellen Jiménez's" Estate (Federico's Late Wife)***
***RARE Circa 1950's- Triple Tier- 1945 Dos Peso & 1945 Dos y Medio (2.5) Hildago 22K Gold Coin- 14k Gold Oaxaca Earrings - From "Ellen Jiménez's" Estate (Federico's Late Wife)***
FIRM ON PRICE-SORRY BUT ABSOLUTELY NO DISCOUNTS APPLY TO THIS ITEM
EARRING PROVENANCE:
I am truly very honored and deeply grateful to have been offered an exceptional collection of rare and exquisite gold jewelry. Many of these pieces are unique gold coin jewelry that is well-known within the Oaxaca jewelry tradition. What makes this collection even more special is that it once belonged to the late Ellen Belber-Jiménez, who was the devoted wife of the internationally acclaimed jewelry designer Federico Jiménez. They shared 56 wonderful years together until her unfortunate passing. (Please be sure to explore what’s left of my curated inventory of Gold jewelry, by clicking on the word “Gold” in the drop down in this same category)
Ellen and Federico first met down in Oaxaca in the mid-1960s. At that time, Ellen was deeply engaged in her work with the UCLA Oaxaca Market Study Research Project, immersing herself in every aspect of the region. Meanwhile, Federico was actively involved in writing insightful articles about Oaxaca's rich traditional arts and vibrant culture. Ellen completely lived and breathed the beautiful art of Oaxaca—the stunning jewelry, the intricate hand-woven textiles, the traditional clothing, the local food, and more. Like her husband, she had an impressive depth of knowledge and could speak expertly about each element, demonstrating remarkable skill and passion for every subject connected to the region’s artistic heritage.
Ellen collected quite an impressive and remarkable collection, one that truly deserves to be displayed in a museum. In fact, several pieces owned by Ellen are now housed at their renowned museum in Oaxaca that bears both her and her husband’s name, the "Museo Belber Jimenez." This museum is celebrated for its phenomenal and historically significant collection of jewelry and textiles, widely regarded as one of the most important in Oaxaca and the surrounding region. Her refined tastes for Oaxaca jewelry were nothing short of exquisite, and she owned exclusively the finest pieces that Oaxaca had to offer. These coin earrings are just one shining example of her exceptional eye for the beautiful and intricate jewelry she treasured.
These stunning earrings have been carefully preserved in storage for over 50 years, remaining untouched and full of history. Any item you acquire from Ellen's vintage gold collection is not just jewelry—it is like owning a treasured keepsake that once belonged to a celebrity. Because of Ellen’s unique legacy and the significance of who she was, her pieces carry an added layer of rarity and desirability, making them incredibly collectible and valuable to enthusiasts and collectors alike.
**************************
A LITTLE ABOUT OAXACA GOLD COIN HISTORY:
The gold coin jewelry of the Tehuanas (Zapotec women from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec) is quite rare and unique, primarily because it is not typically available for sale. Most pieces remain in the possession of Tehuana families or are preserved in museums, making authentic examples highly prized and scarce. These exquisite coin adornments are traditionally and proudly worn during Oaxaca festivities, serving as a significant cultural symbol rather than a commercial product. While there are replicas available, those however, are not made from real gold, differentiating them clearly from the authentic pieces.
They were also traditionally used in marriages, where the fathers of the husband-to-be would bring all their gold to present to the wife’s family, thereby passing on their wealth as part of the union. However, it wasn’t just these valuable gold coins that were exchanged; land, livestock such as cows, and other valuable assets were also given as part of the wedding payment to the family of the "bride-to-be." This payment acted either as a form of compensation for their daughter or as a dowry—meaning money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband or his family upon marriage. Because of the importance of these occasions, families often maintained a private collection of gold coins reserved exclusively for such purposes.
**************************
A NOTE:
The "Don Miguel Hidalgo" 2.5 gold peso was minted starting with 1918 and ending their issuing in 1948. These Mexican Peso gold coins are a symbol of Mexico's independence from Spain and they should remind people of the struggle that took place at those times and of all the people that had to die in order for others to be free. Therefore, the 2.5 Mexican Peso gold coins are of high importance to collectors & not just to investors.
**************************
THE EARRINGS:
Owning Oaxaca gold coin jewelry is truly the "Crème de la Crème-Jewel in the Crown" of all Oaxaca jewelry, representing the finest workmanship and culture the region has to offer. These exquisite earrings not only carry immense cultural significance, but will always retain their value, standing as a timeless signature unique to Oaxaca’s rich tradition and artistic legacy.
These earrings are carefully designed in a duplicated mirrored pattern, featuring a central bow that elegantly connects the top section to the bottom portion. The bow and selected parts of the embellishment have been "Diamond Cut," adding a subtle yet striking sparkle that beautifully enhances the overall appearance of the earrings. On the top half, the gold embellishment proudly sits above the coin, while on the bottom half, this decorative detail is positioned below the coin, creating a balanced and harmonious design. The entire earring is made from 14k yellow gold, whereas the coins themselves are made from 22k fine gold. Despite their intricate design and luxurious materials, these earrings are remarkably comfortable, making them easy to wear throughout the day. They provide a distinct and authentic Oaxaca aesthetic, perfect for those seeking to showcase a genuine piece of Mexican artistry & history..
*****************************
*PRICE IS FIRM**
ARTIST: Unknown
EARRING PROVENACE: From Ellen Belber-Jimenez's Private Estate.
CIRCA: 1950's
METAL: Yellow Gold (PROFESSIONALLY TESTED 2 X’s)
METAL PURITY: COIN: 22K (91.67 per cent pure gold)-SHEPHERDS HOOK/EMBELLISHMENT AROUND COINS: 14k Gold
COIN SIZE: 15mm
MEASUREMENTS: 2-3/4" x 7/8"(Length taken from the ear wire curvature to bottom)
COMBINED WEIGHT: 14.5 Grams (1/2 Ounce)
CLOSURE: Shepherds Hook with Safety Latch
MADE IN: Oaxaca, Mexico
CONDITION: EXCELLENT Very Well kept condition!
Comes Gift Boxed.
************************
SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT:
Because of the price,these will have a mandatory signature confirmation requirement & will come insured.. If you're not home in the day & need these shipped where they can be signed for,please change that in your "Ship To" section before I create the shipping label***I'm sorry if this may be an inconvenience, but I do not ship expensive pieces without one.
PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING:
*****I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try to give you photos that are 'realistic in color.. Please understand that all screen monitors are different, so the materials can look brighter (or duller) ,more intense or less intense from one computer/phone to the next.
In order to give you close up photos so I can provide you with all the detail, can tend to make the item look much more larger & everything is more magnified & exaggerated than in actuality. So to get an accurate idea of how big these are,please either check them out being worn to get a rough idea (photos) or you can pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements.
