This pendant was hand-crafted by artist José Clemente Orozco and gifted to his friend Mrs. Blanche Pinsof on a visit to Mexico in 1947. Blanche and her husband Philip met Orozco stateside where the artist was working on several mural commissions. A patron of the arts and avid jadeite and pearl enthusiast, Philip provided financial support to both Orozco and Diego Rivera during their time in the US and continued to stay in-touch when both men returned to their native Mexico. In 1947, the Pinsof’s traveled to Orozco’s home at the invitation of his wife who was concerned with the artist’s failing health (she had hoped that the couple could convince Orozco to seek medical care in the United States). After a two week visit, Blanche and Philip returned home to Chicago but not before Orozco presented them with two gifts: a cloth bag filled with pink pearls for Philip and for Blanche, the present lot, an exquisite hand-hammered silver pendant.
