posted 01-27-2006 11:53 AM            

1. European 19th and early 20th C silver imported by the immigrants who settled Uruguay and/or silver retailed in Argentina by the major European makers during the time when wealthy Uruguayans traveled to Buenos Aires to shop. For example, Christofle had its largest retail shop outside France in Buenos Aires where they sold only first standard silver as there was no local market for plated silver. Thirty years of political turmoil in Uruguay coupled with severe economic hardship has depleted the availability of antique silver, but you still can find pleasant surprises in antiques shops. Unless you have particular expertise, be wary of items purported to be Spanish colonial antique silver. These items can best be described as handicrafts (see below).
   
2. Manufactured silver by the large South American makers such as Camusso of Peru, available in standard retail outlets. Quality is decent, but the designs are ho-hum in my opinion and probably not worth suitcase space.
   
3. Beef cattle production is a major industry in Uruguay. There is a lot of silver related to the gaucho (cowboy) and his horse. There are silver-embellished saddles, bridles and other tack, mostly custom-made with quality on a par with the best Mexican work, but perhaps not equal to the work of the late American, Bohlin. These items are available by custom order in specialized shops, so probably are not accessible to the passing tourist. More readily available are silver accessories for the gaucho such as spurs, belts, poncho fasteners, etc.
   
4. Uruguay does not have a strong tradition of indigenous silversmithing, like Mexico or Peru, but artisan silver is available, often incorporating Spanish colonial design motifs. Quality is highly variable ranging from the airport art type to sophisticated, well-made studio art. Most commonly available is silver jewelry of all kinds, some set with semi-precious stones imported from neighboring Brazil, and mat� cups, either silver-mounted gourds or all silver cups, with silver sipping straws.

posted 01-27-2006 03:46 PM            

Thanks for taking the time to compose such a detailed and helpful answer. The market you mention is open Sunday. My question was vague because I had not idea where to start. Your answer is perfect.

As for watching for forgeries, I will apply Tom's rule of silver purchase: never spend more than you would mind loosing if things turns out to be tin!