Brooch pendant, 'Aztec Serpent' 1.7" W 2.2" L
Price: $169.95

NOVICA, in association with National Geographic, offers thousands of limited edition and one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, and home decor treasures handmade by master artists and artisans throughout the world. A serpent coils into an elegant pose for a unique brooch pendant. Its presence recalls the legendary art of Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures. Maria Belen Nilson casts the serpent of sterling silver featuring a striking copper eye. Features a hidden bail for a chain as well as a pin. .925 rating silver. Artisan Info: "Hola! My name is Maria Belen, and I was born in Rio Cuarto, Argentina, on 25 February 1954. I grew up there, and graduated in Educational Studies. When I was 21, I left my country and moved to Mexico. "I came here on my own and with nothing. I chose to come to Mexico because I have admired this country and its culture ever since I was very young. I fell in love with Mexico the moment I arrived, and I started teaching literature in Mexico City. "After some years I moved to the state of Morelos, where I started doing handicrafts. I learnt about different crafting techniques, and about working with different materials. "I met my husband in Morelos. He is a jewelry designer and we moved to Taxco after we got married. After my first daughter was born, we moved around the country, including San Miguel Allende and Palenque. Eventually we moved back to Taxco, which is renowned as Mexico's 'Silver City.' "I began working with silver in 1994 by chance. I had recently divorced