Matilde Eugenia Poulat - Very Rare Turquoise, Bone, and Sterling Our Lady of Guadalupe Brooch
Matilde Eugenia Poulat - Very Rare Turquoise, Bone, and Sterling Our Lady of Guadalupe Brooch
Couldn't load pickup availability
Very rare Our Lady of Guadalupe figural brooch by the one and only Matilde Eugenia Poulat. Made of sterling silver, intricately carved Bone, and tiny Turquoise stones.
Please review each picture closely as there is some age and wear to this piece. All stones and bone pieces are intact and none appear to be loose, but the sterling has tarnished green in a few places. If you wish to have this tarnish removed, I would recommend having a professional take a look.
Markings: Patents 10500 Mexico 925 Matl
Size + Weight
Size + Weight
height (highest point): 52.9 mm
width (widest point): 38.2 mm
weight: 10.43 g
About The Artist
About The Artist
Matl is the mark that appears on some of the most beautiful and unique jewelry in Mexico.
Matilde Eugenia Poulat introduced MATL in 1934 and, since her death in 1960, her designs and techniques have been carried on by her nephew, Ricardo Salas. For sr. Salas, who can recite poetry in the language of the Aztecs, the mark matl, has greater meaning in its reference to the Nahuatl or Aztec word for water, atl.
As a young woman, Matilde Poulat studied painting at the prestigious San Carlos academy of fine arts in Mexico city, she went on to teach painting classes at an art school until her interest turned exclusively to silver. Matilde Poulat´s designs for jewelry and religious figures were part of the new cultural vision among Mexico’s intellectuals after the revolution in 1920s, artists were searching for Mexican aesthetic, rejection European subjects in favor of the art of the pre-conquest Indians and of the Mexican pueblos. Sra. Poulat found inspiration in the mextec gold jewelry discovered in 1932 at Monte Alban. Her choice of motifs the dove, flowers, and tiny bells are reminiscent of the whimsical subjects of contemporary Mexican folk art.
Matilde Poulat received international recognition for her jewelry when she was asked in 1941 to participate in an exhibit of Latin American silver at the pan American union in Washington, D.C. as a result of increasing demand for matl silver during world war ii , the number of silversmiths in the taller increased to thirty-three. In 1950, Srta. Poulat and her nephew opened a showroom on the first floor of her home, where she also had the workshop. Ricardo Salas recalls that they made three thousand types of silver jewelry and one hundred different religious pieces.
Ricardo Salas worked closely with his aunt from the time he was eleven years of age. He says she recognized his artistic talent when she saw him do a play with puppets he had made himself. Sr. Salas was sent to the San Carlos academy, where he received the premio Diego Rivera. As a youth, he learned the techniques of the silversmith and perfected the carving of ivory, coral, turquoise, and other stones used in the jewelry and figurines. From sr. Salas perspective, he and his aunt collaborated so closely as designers, that there really cannot be a comparison of their work.
There is no longer a shop in Mexico City, but matl Salas continues to be sold at two stores in the united states, in Santa Monica, California, and in Washington, D.C. Ricardo has trained his wife, daughter, and cousins, and the workshop today is made up almost entirely of family members. All aspects of production are done by hand under his supervision. Sr. Salas continues to draw new designs and jealously protects his own work. His inspiration comes from pre-Hispanic art, particularly the art of the Mayans, who he says were more intelligent than the Aztecs and used beautiful shapes and lines in their architecture and sculpture.
For sr. Salas, every detail in matl silver is rich in symbolism. The cascabeles (tiny round bells) signify fidelity, a matrimonial pact. If a man gives a woman cascabeles, the marriage will not break apart, even in death. That same fidelity is important in friendship. The exchange of tiny bells means that if a friend were to have a problem, the other friend would be obliged to help. A horizontal (s) is a symbol of happiness. The doves are remembrance of a romantic era in Mexico’s history, recalling the music of Agustin Lara, a singer and songwriter who enjoyed great popularity in the 1930s. Ricardo Salas believes that romanticism is still alive in the hearts of Mexicans today.
In 1955, William Spratling wrote of Matilde Poulat: “she has continued to produce some of the most charming native jewelry in Mexico, intensely her own. Her jewelry has the same charm and delightful surface and colorful quality of the old lacquer work of Uruapan. Spratling`s admiration for matl silver reflects his recognition of their shared appreciation for Mexican native art. This mutual inspiration led each of the two artists in different directions within the same medium. The exuberance of matl silver resembles the interiors of the churches in Puebla, like the chapel of Santa Maria Tonantzintla, where Indians covered the interior of the dome with polychromed and gilded angels. In matl silver, the introduction of color is accomplished with bits of coral, turquoise, and amethyst quartz. The surfaces are decorated with applied wire and elaborated with embossing and repousse of astounding complexity (pl.XXIII-1, XXIII-10). Matilde Poulat and Ricardo Salas have been successful in incorporating the artistic language of the Mixtecs into jewelry and silver figures with imagination, drama, and with a style that is completely personal.
Source: Mexican-Silver-Jewelry.MyShopify.com
Condition + Care
Condition + Care
Condition
All of our items are pre-owned and, as you may see, some have been very, very loved. We do our best to describe and picture any potential wear or concerns, but we are not experts. We also try to photograph colors accurately, but colors may vary depending on buyers' screen settings, the use of blue light filters, or visual impairments. On our part, we use a Digital Kolor Card Pro to check the color accuracy of our photos against the physical products. Photos may be adjusted for brightness, but we do not apply any filters to our photos.
Before purchasing any item, please read the description in its entirety, review all pictures closely, and review our store policies. If you desire more information about an item, please contact us at pinyonpinesgallery@gmail.com.
Silver and Stone Care
When you receive a jewelry item from us, you may notice that we do not remove the natural patina. It takes many, many years for silver to get its beautiful patina, which many collectors greatly value. Because of this, we only lightly clean items that you will find both on our website and at in-person events.
If you wish to clean your item beyond what we have done, please consider the following advice.
- Only use a silver polishing cloth to clean your sterling silver.
- Never use chemicals to clean your silver, especially if your item has stones. Chemicals can alter, discolor, or even destroy the beautiful stones.
- Never use ultrasonic cleaners or similar machines to clean your silver, especially if your item has stones. The force of these machines can dislodge the stones—some of which are supported by sawdust or other such materials to give stones height in their settings.
- Never wear your jewelry when washing your hands, bathing, swimming, or other such actions where the jewelry will get wet as this can also loosen or alter the stones.
- When in doubt about how to care for your item, seek advice from professionals.
Note: We are not silversmiths or jewelers, so we recommend you speak with a local jeweler should you need detailed care instructions, professional cleaning, or repairs.
Shipping
Shipping
Order Processing
- All orders are processed withing 1 to 3 business days (excluding weekends and holidays).
Local Delivery
- Free local delivery is available for orders over $75 within 30 miles of ZIP Code 66205 (delivery zone map). For orders up to $75, we charge $10 for local delivery.
- We will contact you via text or email with the information you provided at checkout to arrange delivery.
Shipping - US Domestic
| Method | Order Total | Weight | Delivery Time | Shipping Rate |
| USPS Priority Mail | $100 and up | Up to 5 lbs | 2 to 3 business days | Free |
| USPS Priority Mail | Under $100 | Up to 5 lbs | 2 to 3 business days | $4.90 |
| USPS Priority Mail | Any | 5-70 lbs | 2 to 3 business days | $19.90 |
| USPS Priority Express | Any | Up to 1 lbs | 1 to 2 business days | $6.90 |
| USPS Priority Express | Any | 1 to 5 lbs | 1 to 2 business days | $9.90 |
Shipping - International
- International shipping will be calculated at checkout with USPS or DHL carrier options.
- All customs duties, taxes, or fees are the sole responsibility of the customer. These fees are consistently subject to change, and we cannot estimate how much they might cost.
- The declared the value of all international orders will be accurately documented on the customs forms and packing slip.
- Please be aware that some countries may hold packages in customs for reasons unknown to us, and beyond our control. If this happens, please contact your country's customs office to determine the approximate delivery date of your package.
- Any fees or other customs information can be obtained by contacting your local post office.
Shipping - Insurance
- Included with every shipment to ensure the safety of your valuable pieces.
Shipping - Signature
- All orders will require a signature upon delivery. This ensures that your package is received by the intended recipient and reduces the risk of theft or loss.
- Please make sure someone is available to sign for your package at the provided shipping address.
Returns
Returns
Returns and/or refunds shall be at the sole discretion of Pinyon Pines Gallery and shall be subject to the following terms:
- To initiate a return, email pinyonpinesgallery@gmail.com within 48 hours of delivery confirmation. Include your order number, item purchased, and reason for the return.
- If your return is accepted, we will send you instructions on how and where to send your package.
- Buyer must return the package within 7 days once the return is approved.
- Item must be returned in the original condition as described/pictured, unworn and unaltered, with tags, and in its original packaging.
- Items sent back to us without a return request and approval will be refused.
- Buyer is responsible for shipping costs and must insure the return package for the purchase price.
- Returns for refund shall incur a 15% restocking fee, or items may be returned in exchange for store credit. Store credits shall be applied to list prices only. Store credit must be used within 90 days of issuance.
- For any return questions, please contact us at pinyonpinesgallery@gmail.com.
Damages and Issues
- Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged, or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
- Buyer must take clear photographs of the item, including all packing materials, so a claim may be filed with the shipment carrier.
Exceptions / Non-Returnable Items
- We do not accept returns on sale items, clearance items, layaway purchases, or gift cards.
- Jewelry that has been polished to remove its patina may not be returned.
Refunds
- We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method within 10 business days, minus any restocking and/or shipping fees.
- Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund.
If more than 7 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us at pinyonpinesgallery@gmail.com.
