Ken Beldin was born in Mississippi and studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He retired as head of a successful ad agency in Los Angeles in 1931 to travel through the Southwest. He worked for a time with Mexico’s National Railways attracting tourists to travel to Mexico by rail and was drawn into the rugged beauty of Mexico and it’s people. He set up a studio in Tenancingo South of Mexico City near Taxco and began creating one of a kind jewelry and sculpture. He was the custodian of a collection of archeological Pre-Columbian stones, and it was from these he derived his motifs. His modern Primitive jewelry was considered to have the most feeling and the most authentic look of the Period. He worked throughout the 40s and 50s with copper, brass, steel, wood and leather. His work was admired and collected by some of the elite of Hollywood, including Barbara Hutton, Edward G. Robinson, James Cagny and Sammy Davis, Jr. His friends in Mexico, who also purchased his work included Diego Riviera, Freda Kahlo, J. C. Orosco and Miguel Covarrubias. His pieces were available in gift shops in Mexico City, Tlaquepaque, Morelia and Taxco. Beldin was also very interested in the nutritional needs of Mexico’s poor and with the help of a nutritionist in California developed a soybean-based food for children. He created comic books to teach the children about nutrition and gave some of the proceeds from his art sales to this cause. Dale Nichols, the well-known American artist, appreciated his work and created a pamphlet about him in 1952 launching his creations. These unique collectible pieces are being rediscovered now.
Ken Beldin Vintage Jewelry Made in Mexico, Abstract Copper Pin, Signed
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Beautiful vintage copper pin created in Mexico By ex-patriate artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Measures: 3.5" H x 1.75" W Signed on the back: Beldin & Mexico. In excellent vint...
Copper
Ken Beldin Figural Pendant, Midcentury, Made in Mexico, Copper
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Modern design vintage necklace made in Mexico by ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Etched signature on the back: Ken Beldin. In excellent vinta...
Copper
Ken Beldin Figural Kinetic Midcentury Mexican Copper and Mixed Metal Necklace
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Beautiful vintage copper necklace made in Mexico. By ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s, unsigned. Measures: 4" H x 1.75" W In excelle...
Copper
Ken Beldin Large Scarab Design Pendant, Mid-Century Mexican Mixed Metal
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Modern scarab design vintage mixed metal necklace made in Mexico by ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Signed on the back: Ken Beldin. In excellent vintage condition. The pendant measures: 3" H x 2 1/4" W. The necklace chain is made of copper, shells, beads, and leather and is approximately 20" total length. The pendant bears a lovely green patina and hangs from the original chain. Ken Beldin (1900-?) was born in Mississippi and was educated at U. of C. Berkeley. He retired as head of a successful ad agency in Los Angeles in 1931 to travel through the Southwest. He worked for a time with Mexico’s National Railways attracting tourists to travel to Mexico by rail and was drawn into the rugged beauty of Mexico and its people. He set up a studio in Tenencingo South of Mexico City near Taxco and began creating one of a kind jewelry and sculpture. He was the custodian of a collection of archeological Pre-Columbian stones, and it was from these he derived his motifs. His "modern Ethnic" jewelry was considered to have the most feeling and the most authentic look of the Period. He worked throughout the 1940s and 1950s with copper, brass, steel, wood and leather. His work was admired and collected by some of the elite of Hollywood including Barbara Hutton, Edward G. Robinson, James Cagny and Sammy Davis, Jr. His friends in Mexico who also purchased his work were: Diego Riviera...
Metal
Beautiful Copper and Brass vintage Necklace by Ken Beldin made in Mexico
By Ken Beldin
Located in Mexico, DF
Beautiful necklace handmade by Ken Beldin in Mexico around the 1950s. Simple, whimsical design made with simple materials: hammered copper and brass attached with two simple S-shaped...
Brass, Copper
$1,340
H 0.3 in W 17.13 in D 0.25 in
Taxco Sterling Silver + Malachite Modernist Necklace, Mexico 1970s
By Pepe Mendoza, P. Lopez G., Los Castillo, Los Castillos, Margot De Taxco
Located in Round Top, TX
Bold and sculptural collar necklace handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico, featuring a dramatic fan of tapered sterling silver "spikes" accented with inlaid malachite gemstones. The articulat...
Malachite, Sterling Silver
$599
H 0.25 in W 5.5 in D 3 in
Large Mid-Century Era Metal Cigarette Case with World Globe & Compass Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large cigarette case was made by the well known Wadsworth's of Canada and dates to approximately 1970 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The box is composed of eng...
Metal
Superb Vintage Silver Jewel Aztec design Necklace Taxco Mexico
Located in London, GB
A stunning and collectible Long vintage silver Necklace crafted in Taxco, Mexico, and dating to the 1960s. This beautifully detailed piece features a traditional Aztec inspired design in linked segments Origin: Taxco, Mexico Period: Circa 1960s Materials: Sterling silver turquoise semi precious stones Style: Vintage Mexican folk art Length 22 inches 56 cm, weight 112 grams An exceptional addition to any collection of Taxco silver, vintage Mexican jewelry...
Silver
$6,400
H 2 in W 6 in D 2.6 in
Antique 24 Karat Gold Egyptian Revival Scarab Pendant Brooch Cesare Tombini 1870
Located in Portland, OR
A wonderful antique 24 karat gold Egyptian Revival brooch set with an ancient 1500 B.C.E Egyptian faience pottery scarab, by the famous 19th century Italian jeweler Cesare Tombini, c...
Gold
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Comb Made from Horn
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a beautiful half-moon shaped comb. The item was hand-crafted from horn and designed by the renowned workshops of Carl Auböck in Austria. It's a remarkable example of the ...
Horn
Mid Century Brutalist cast metal Crucifix
Located in Bern, CH
Mid Century solid metal Brutalist crucifix. Appears to be either brass or brass effect. Name on rear: Frick Angela (assumed to be creator or owner o...
Metal
$972 / set
H 8.67 in Dm 7.09 in
Three Beautiful Ceramic Tobacco Pots Made by the Royal Goedewaagen, Holland
Located in Weesp, NL
Tobacco Pots made in Gouda, the Netherlands by the Royal Goedewaagen in 1940. The pots are handmade, turned by hand, of so-called German Westwaldclay...
Clay
Japanese Figural Kangaroo Tabletop Lighter, Cast Metal, circa 1960
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Japanese Figural Kangaroo Tabletop Lighter, Cast Metal, circa 1960s. A charming and collectible mid-century figural tabletop lighter, crafted in cast metal and modeled as a stylized ...
Metal
$1,300 / set
H 5.5 in W 5 in D 1 in
Mid-Century Mexican Silver & Malachite Jewelry Set: Necklace, Bracelets, Pendant
By Los Castillo, Los Castillos
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-Century sterling silver and malachite jewelry set: necklace, pair of bracelets and pendant from Taxco, Mexico, presumably by Los Castillo By: Los Castillo (in the style of) Mate...
Stone, Malachite, Metal, Silver, Sterling Silver
$699
H 8.5 in W 0.5 in D 0.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Mexican Geometric Linked Chunky Bracelet
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sterling silver ladies bracelet was made in Mexico in approximately 1969 in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The bracelet is composed of a series of geometrically stylized A...
Sterling Silver
Rare Mexican Modern Silver Jewelry Suite Caviar Model William Spratling
By William Spratling
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare four-piece suite of Mexican Modern silver jewelry suite circa 1940s from Taxco, Mexico and crafted by William Spratling (1900-1967), an American designer and entrepreneur who ...
Silver
Taxco Mexican Silver Aztec Mask Face Pendant, TC-110
Located in Delft, NL
Taxco Mexican silver Aztec Mask face pendant. Taxco Mexico Silver 950/1000, TC-110 An Onyx hand carved mask of an Aztec figure with a Malachite collar se...
Malachite, Silver
Ken Beldin Figural Pendant - Mid-Century Mexican Copper
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Modern pre-Columbian inspired vintage copper necklace made in Mexico by ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Signed on the back: Ken Beldi...
Copper
Ken Beldin Large Figural Pendant, Midcentury Mexican Copper
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Modern design vintage copper necklace made in Mexico by ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Signed on the back Ken Beldin, Tenancingo, M...
Copper
Ken Beldin Figural Mid-Century Mexican Copper Belt Buckle
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Beautiful vintage copper belt buckle made in Mexico. The unpatinated figure on the buckle is hand plenished. By ex-pat artist Ken Beldin 1...
Sold
H 2.25 in W 2.75 in D 0.2 in
Ken Beldin Abstract Biomorphic Design Mid-Century Mexican Copper Pin
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Beautiful vintage copper pin created in Mexico By ex pat artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Measures: 2.25" H x 2.75" W Signed on the back: Beldin & Mexico. In excellent vintage ...
Sold
H 1.75 in W 2.63 in D 0.2 in
Ken Beldin Abstract Bi-Morphic Design Mid-Century Mexican Copper Pin
By Ken Beldin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Beautiful vintage copper pin created in Mexico By Ex Pat Artist Ken Beldin 1940s and 1950s. Measures: 1 3/4" H x 2 5/8" W Signed on the back: Beldin In excellent vintage conditio...