Here is an interesting piece. I think this piece is contemporary. The finish (patina) looks unusual for a copper piece of the early 20th century. I'm not sure what kind of metal this is. 4.5"h x 4"w

Though I like this piece because of it's form, texture and colour.

Can anybody indentify the hallmark?

RiCO

RiCO

clse up

RiCO

thanks,

RiCO

Rico, These copper pieces are being made in Santa Clara de Cobre in Mexico. I have seen this mark used on several of the pieces made there and do not know which of the many shops there made these. I suspect the initials refer to the person who hammered this specific piece.

I have seen these craftsmen and women work and it is incredible the skill they have developed and mastery of metal manipulation. These items are entirely raised by hand and from a thick billet of copper that they melt, cast and forge flat.

Here is a link to an informative article about the town and the copper work done there.
http://www.mexconnect.com/MEX/jrose/jjrsantaclaradecobre.html

This link has great images of the craftsmen working.
http://mextizo.com/html/santa_clara_de_el_cobre_1.html

Fred

Hello FZ,

Great! Thanks again for sharing with us your vast knowledge of the metal arts.

Another one solved. And we will keep this posted so that others can learn about this piece of art and it's artist.

Once again we are perpetuating the arts and crafts movement.

RiCO

I have found documentation that indicates that the vase mark found on the botton of these pots is used by "Cobre". They make Arts & Crafts design for retail here in the US and throughout the world.

Fred

Cobre Hand-Forged Copperware



"Cobre " is Spanish for "copper"

I suspect we will continue to see more and more ebay listings for copper from Mexico. The quality is improving on much of the A&C reproduction work and their own designs have always be great.

The same items made here by a craftsman might have to sell for even higher. I do not even try to compete with the Mexican imports. They can raise a vase in relatively short time. Much of the cost to the consumer is derived from the profits of the importers and the retailers and it is good to see the lot of the craftsmen and women in these small towns improve due to the popularity of their wares.

I had the priveledge of doing a raising demonstration here in Tucson during a tour of the work of Ignacio Punzo. The quality and strength of his designs were spectacular and could easily be pitted against the work of some of the more famous Arts & Crafts Movement metalsmiths. Quality is seldom sold cheep.

Here is a peice I believe belong to the same Guild of craftsman the Santa Clara del Cobre.. Mexican hammered art. Contemporary.


RiCO

Mexican Hammered Art.


RiCO

Santa Clara del Cobre

And the halmark signed R Ramirez T


RiCO

Yeah--is that the same one on Ebay right now? I sent that guy a message since he was originally claiming that it was from the Arts & Crafts era! That's a common problem on Ebay--a piece of Mexican copper someone says is antique. I like the idea that such work is affordable, but it really isn't going to be an investment like Roycroft or Van Erp. I spoke with an LA dealer recently who said he'd notified a prominent auction house of a couple of phony Van Erp vases they had listed. The reddish patina seen on much Mexican copper is similar to some of Van Erp's work. I'm pretty sure I could spot the phony, but for the uninitiated, be aware of what you're buying! I also just saw some really bad Roycroft fakes on Ebay as well; the mark was so poorly done that it was pathetic to look at.

I have seen the Roycroft fakes as well and the marks are very obvious. You are right about the coloration on some of the Santa Clara pots. It is the coloration caused by the process of heating the metal to anneal it.