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, Wood, Copper, Ceramic, Primitive Art, Jewelry Box
By Ken Beldin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful jewelry box by the known American artist Ken Belgian. He worked in Taxco, Mexico in a modern/primitive style craft . This wooden box ...
Copper
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
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
$1,340
H 0.3 in W 17.13 in D 0.25 in
Taxco Sterling Silver + Malachite Modernist Necklace, Mexico 1970s
By Margot De Taxco, Los Castillo, Los Castillos, Pepe Mendoza, P. Lopez G.
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
Copper Artwork
Located in Antwerp, BE
Copper wall artwork, 1950s. It could also be from the art nouveau period. Height 75 cm. Width 53 cm.
Copper
Zodiac Copper Wall Art
Located in Antwerp, BE
Zodiac copper wall art. Diameter:50 cm. Depth:3 cm.
Copper
Copper and Brass Country Grain Separator
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Copper and brass grain separator from Iowa; complete. Seedburo equipment company, Chicago 1912. Period: Last half of the 20th century. Origin: Iowa Si...
Brass, Copper
Belgium Handcrafted Ceramic Wall Art, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage ceramic wall art. Brown earthenware with hand painted accents. Design of 8 figures in ceramic and glazed in the tones blue, gold, whit...
Ceramic
$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
Beautiful antique brass scale on Portofino marble base, made in Italy
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A classic antique scale with a polished Portofino marble base, fluted aged-brass stem and etched fittings, hand-made in Italy. A great accessory especially for kitchens, the use of m...
Marble, Brass
Antique French Wooden, Mixed Metal & Brass Crucifix
Located in Ross, CA
19th century French crucifix made of mahogany wood, a mixed metal crucifix and twisted brass trim.
Brass, Metal
$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
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
$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 Castillos, Los Castillo
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
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...