• Address: Denver, CO 80243 (map)
• Date Posted: 11/06/09

FINEST VINTAGE TAXCO STERLING –
EARLY WILLIAM SPRATLING
Ring and 1 pr. Earrings –

Auction-house fine and rare early Spratling 980 silver geometric ring.
‘40s-‘50s peyote button design sterling earrings – post.

$415.00 for both hallmarked vintage pieces.
Cash sale only. Will consider a serious best offer.

1.
Auction-house fine and rare early Spratling 980 silver geometric ring.
Late ‘30s – early ‘40s. Approx. size 7 ½ - 8. Unisex – great for man or
woman. Spratling at his finest pre-Colombian understated design.
(Example see Davis and Pack MEXICAN JEWELRY 1963 ed. U of Texas
Publ. – pg. 168)

$295.00 sold separately. Cash sale only.

These early rings are rare of “the master” Taxco silversmith who set the standard for the Taxco silver ”tallers” and these hallmarked older sterling pieces are holding their own in the auction houses when everything else has taken a dive. Spratling brooches, earrings, necklaces are more common – but these first simple 980 sterling rings are very rare. Check current listing for an amethyst silver ring being sold at $825. http://www.trocadero.com/carolane/items/890170/item890170.html
It is important to check the hallmarks and to be careful of later reproductions
now rife online.
Background:
“Primarily, Spratling's silver designs drew upon aboriginal Mesoamerican motifs, with influence from other native and Western cultures. To many, his work served as an expression of Mexican nationalism, and gave Mexican artisans the freedom to create designs in non-European forms. Because of his influence on the silver design industry in Mexico, Spratling, an architect turned fine artisan, has been called the "Father of Mexican Silver" and a Renaissance man. Taxco was a traditional site of silver mines, but had no native silverworking industry. Spratling began designing works in silver based primarily on pre-Columbian and traditional motifs, and hired local goldsmiths to produce those designs in Taxco. These earliest designs were based on pre-Columbian motifs as well as simple themes utilizing rope borders, strap designs and other such basic ideas. As the reputation for Spratling's silver designs grew, he expanded his operation, and began an apprenticeship program for others interested in designing in silver, many of whom continued to work in the Taxco area--with Spratling's support--once their apprenticeship was over.
By the 1940s, Spratling was selling his designs throughout Mexico and the United States, and moved his design studio to a ranch south of Taxco at Taxco el Viejo.”

2.
‘40s-‘50s peyote button design sterling earrings – post.
Direct design from Sprating’s collection of buttons (see Morrill, Berk MEXICAN SILVER p.55) later than 1950’s.
Raised repousse buttons and hand-incised markings.

Hallmarked “William Spratling” with scroll “WS” – “TS-24” .
Approx. ¾” diameter. Warm old patina.

$120.00 if sold separately. Cash sale only.

Shown onyx/sterling rectangular Spratling earring in below photos
has been sold - not available; only the peyote button earrings - 1 pr.

Please e-mail any inquiries or to set appointment to see items – or –
Call cell: 310.694.1467.
Located near downtown Denver; appointment easy to arrange.
Serious inquiries only; cash only sale.

Collector selling personal items; other postings for “matl” hallmarked
pin, Pineda ring, other vintage Mexican silver earrings, rings, pins – and
two West African necklaces; also rare early Beloff collage. Inquire.

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