TANE TIffany Mexico Sterling Silver TULA CARACOL flatware pattern snail ca 1970
Tane, a Mexican luxury silver brand and considered the Tiffany of Mexico, introduced the Tula Caracol sterling silver flatware pattern in the mid to late 1960s.
The pattern is named after the ancient Mesoamerican city of Tula and features a spiral design inspired by the caracol (snail shell) motifs found in pre-Columbian art. The creation of the handles with a cut out is Faberge like.
Tane's production of the Tula Caracol pattern is no longer active, and it's considered a discontinued or vintage pattern though Tane does take special orders of the pattern.
The exact date of discontinuation is unclear, but based on my research, here are some rough estimates:
- Tane introduced the Tula Caracol pattern in the 1960s.- The pattern was popular and in production for several decades, likely until the 1990s or early 2000s.- By the mid-2000s, Tane had already discontinued the Tula Caracol pattern, and it's no longer part of their current product lineup.
Discontinued patterns like Tula Caracol can still be found through secondary markets, estate sales, or vintage silverware dealers.
I googled Tane and the Tula Caracol sterling silver pattern and there are pieces listed that are out of stock, but gave the most recent prices of the place pieces: dessert fork $730; coffee spoon $440; dinner fork $1100; and dessert spoon $730.
I believe the set was designed by Maximiliano Mondragon. This set is circa 1970. The teaspoon has an ME-32 mark. The desert fork has an MT 01 marks and is used after 1970 and it represents Tane as the first to get an MT mark.
This extraordinary set is 64 pieces. There are eight pieces for each of eight place settings. Total weight is 109 ounces and each piece is a nice hefty weight and holds very nicely in the hand.
The set includes 8 of each:
Coffee/sorbet spoon 4 7/8”
Teaspoon 5 1/2”
Soup/dessert spoon 7 1/4”
Large knife 9 1/2”
Luncheon knife 8 5/8”
Butter knife 5 1/2”
Large fork 7”
Smaller fork 6 1/8”
Pieces display a variety of Tane marks.
In excellent condition. Set has been lightly professionally polished to remove surface wear. $12,500
Available at:
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