My grandmother was born on December 21, 1907, in Mexico City, where she grew up. Her mother, Ana Bassó Cruañas (1884-1969), was the daughter of Adolfo Bassó Bertoliat (1851-1913), a hero in Mexican history. My grandmother 's father was Luis Gonzaga Núñez Posada, who was also a military man.
She is credited with introducing the "married metals" technique to Taxco—a true testament to her love for innovation and detail. She was not only a great craftswoman but also a leader. She was one of the strongest advocates for establishing the eagle hallmark system in 1948, firmly believing that Taxco silver should be synonymous with quality. She also managed a workshop of around 20 workers. In those years, the workshop produced silver pieces such as
Our family's history has always been linked to design and art. In 1992, my father, José Brilanti, continued my grandmother's tradition, creating his wonderful jewelry and passing this beautiful heritage on to his children.
The Story Behind the Name "Victoria"
Platería Victoria opened its doors in Taxco between 1930 and 1940. My grandmother named her jewelry store and brand "Victoria" as a symbol of a personal victory—for her, staying in the town she fell in love with and achieving economic independence were triumphs. She was tired of traveling all over Mexico with her husband, who was a labor inspector.
The Story of the Cony Brand
Platería Cony opened in Taxco from 1956 to 1957, located on the ground floor of the Hotel Real de Taxco, next to the entrance of the Hotel Meléndez. The name "Cony" comes from my aunt Cony. To help her daughter, my grandmother opened this store, which is why pieces were stamped with both the Cony and Victoria brands.
History of the Brilanti Brand
In the 1970s, Platería Cony moved to the location below the Castrejón family house, where my father returned to Taxco in 1992. From then on, my father, José Brilanti, took over my grandmother's jewelry business.
Until 1999, the jewelry was marked with the Victoria and Cony brands. After my grandmother's passing, collectors of her jewelry would ask for "Señora Victoria," thinking that was her name. I, her grandson Pepe, knowing that everyone in Taxco knew her as "Señora Brilanti," suggested to my father that we change the brand name to Brilanti, as this name would better represent my grandmother, since everyone in Taxco knew her by it. This is how jewelry with the Victoria and Cony brands became even more collectible. My father decided to open another store in Baja California Sur, leaving me, his son Pepe, in charge of the Cony jewelry store in Taxco. My father eventually settled in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, where he opened Brilanti Fine Art and later brought all his children to Todos Santos, B.C.S., supporting them in opening their own stores.
In 2002, the Cony jewelry store in Taxco closed its doors.
"Design for a Very Special Friend: The Story Behind the Fan Necklace"
An unexpected visit marked the beginning of a story that would transcend borders and generations. One day, a group of elegant ladies entered the store to admire Ana Brilanti's jewelry, renowned for its exquisite Mexican metalwork. Fascinated by her work, they expressed how much they admired her talent and made a special request: to design a unique necklace for a dear friend. They explained that their friend loved fans and asked Ana to use them as inspiration for the design. Ana accepted the challenge and created a necklace composed of several elements, each meticulously crafted in the shape of a fan.
When the ladies returned to collect the piece, they revealed that the gift was intended for the First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt. They also asked Ana not to replicate the necklace design for anyone else until she received official authorization. Some time later, a letter arrived from the White House, signed by Mrs. Roosevelt herself. In it, she expressed that many of her friends had admired the necklace and considered it a true work of art, a perfect example of contemporary jewelry. Acknowledging its beauty and originality, she added that it would not be fair for the design to remain exclusive to her. Therefore, she authorized Ana to reproduce the Fan Necklace so that more people could enjoy its splendor.
This gesture not only turned the Fan Necklace into one of Brilanti Fine Art's most iconic designs but also cemented Ana's reputation as one of the great masters of Mexican silversmithing—a legacy that continues to shine across generations.
Ana de Brilanti was always interested in art, in the creativity of hands, design, and imagination. She designed her own furniture and was passionate about painting and sculpture.
"My aunt Alejandra shares the anecdote that when Ana was just 10 years old, she would sneak away to help Diego Rivera with his mural in Mexico City, handing him paint and brushes."
My grandmother, Ana, always had a vocation for helping others. From a very young age, she taught fine arts—drawing, painting, sculpture, and crafts—at an industrial arts school in Mexico City. Her primary motivation was to provide other women with skills to earn their own livelihood.
Her dedication received notable recognition when her jewelry was selected to be part of the "Renaissance of Mexican Silver" exhibition, sponsored by the San Antonio Museum of Art. This show, titled "Silver Masters," toured prestigious venues in the United States:
· Museum of Craft and Folk Art in Albuquerque.
· National Hispanic Cultural Center in New Orleans.
· Newcomb Art Gallery at Tulane University.
The exhibition featured a carefully curated selection of 20th-century Mexican silver, including jewelry, tableware, tea services, decorative objects, and sculptures.
The history and legacy of my grandmother, along with photographs of her collectible jewelry pieces, were immortalized in the book "Mexican Silver 20th Century" by Penny Chittim Morrill and Carole A. Berk (ISBN 0764300663).
"In the prestigious magazine Cabo Living: Life at Land's End, winter 2005 edition, we were recognized as one of the must-visit places in the picturesque town of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur."
In August 2021, the Municipal Government of Taxco, led by Mayor Marcos Efrén Parra Gómez and with the unanimous approval of the City Council, paid a posthumous tribute to one of its most beloved and distinguished figures: Ana Núñez Bassó de Brilanti. As an eternal testament to her legacy, a street next to the historic "Adolfo Prieto" Hospital now bears her name.
Mrs. Brilanti, as she was affectionately known in the community, was a Rotarian lady whose volunteer work was fundamental to the "Adolfo Prieto" Hospital, an institution founded by the Taxco Rotary Club in 1947. For years, she managed the hospital with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the people of Taxco.
The Enduring Legacy
Today, when we hold one of her creations, it is not just silver that shines: it is the echo of a woman who turned her dreams into tangible art and taught us that true value lies not in the metal, but in the hands that transform it into legend.
Do you have a Brilanti piece in your family? Share your story with us and become part of this legacy that continues to be written.
