William Spratling (American, 1900-1967), Taxco, Mexico, ca. mid 20th century. A beautiful ebony and sterling silver necklace and 2 pairs of sterling and obsidian earrings by William Spratling, the American expatriate artist, best known for his work as a silversmith and designer who revitalized Taxco, Mexico's silver industry. Each piece is stamped with Spratling's hallmarks dating to the mid-20th century and reading "William Spratling Taxco Mexico" around a stylized W.S. with 92.5 printed above. Next to the maker mark is "TS-24" to indicate under the auspices of Sucesores de Spratling. The necklace consists of rectangles and ring links of 93% silver inlaid with ebony, and a box tab clasp that is very secure but also easy to unclasp with a button release. The larger earrings are 92.9% silver stylized stars upon black obsidian discs that dangle from a silver oval with posts for pierced ears. The smaller earrings are Aztec inspired sunbursts, of eight points with granular balls around a central ebony disc. These earrings have clip posts but could be updated to studs or hooks by a jeweler. All are wearable and high-quality pieces of classic Spratling work! Size of necklace: 20" L x 0.5" W (50.8 cm x 1.3 cm); star earrings: 2.75" L x 1.75" W (7 cm x 4.4 cm); disc earrings: 1.125" Diameter (2.9 cm); quality of silver 92.9% to 94%; total weight: 118.4 grams

William Spratling made his initial visit to Mexico in 1926, and returned each summer for the next several years. Finally, in 1929, Spratling moved to Mexico becoming an active member of the vibrant artistic circles of Mexico. Spratling promoted the art of none other than Diego Rivera to New York galleries which led to Rivera's participation in the first exhibition of Mexican visual culture held in the United States, funded by the Carnegie Institute, that opened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Not only did Spratling assist in curating the exhibition, but he also lent several his own pieces. During this same time period, Spratling was working on drawings for the expanding Morrow (US Ambassador to Mexico Dwight Morrow and his wife, the poet Elizabeth Cutter Morrow) home in Cuernavaca. Many of these drawings were included in the book written by Elizabeth Morrow entitled, "Casa Manana" (Knopf, 1930). It was Ambassador Morrow who suggested that Spratling explore developing the silver industry in Taxco.

Trying to find a way to support himself as an expatriate artist, Spratling took notice of the Taxco's silver-mining history and opened a workshop called the Taller de las Delicias, which translates to "Factory of Delights". Years later, he would write: "Nineteen-thirty-one was a notable year in modern Mexican silversmithing. A young silversmith from Iguala named Artemio Navarrete went to Taxco to work for a small silver shop, founded with the germ of an idea, where Artemio, as a nucleus, began to form silversmiths. The present writer, encouraged by his friends Moises Saenz, Dwight Morrow and Diego Rivera, had set up that little shop called 'Las Delicias.’”

Penny Chittim Morrill, Ph.D., who co-authored :Mexican Silver: 20th Century Hand-wrought Jewelry & Silver" with art dealer Carole Berk is the primary authority on Spratling’s work. Morrill was the guest curator for the 2002 traveling exhibition entitled, "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance: Maestros de Plata," organized by the San Diego Museum of Art. In her catalogue essay, Morrill stated, “In establishing silver as an artistic medium, what Spratling achieved was a delicate balance, a synthesis of abstract tendencies in the existent folk art tradition and in contemporary fine art, resulting in a visualization of concepts and ideas. As importantly, the Taller de las Delicias, became the paradigm for other silver designers to follow. Las Delicias was a community in which imagination and innovation were fostered and encouraged as the men learned the art of silversmithing while producing for profit. In the hierarchy of the workshop, these silversmiths advanced according to their ability, enthusiasm, and technical expertise."

Provenance: ex-private Moore collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired prior to 1990

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#162228

All are clearly stamped with Spratling marks. Cleanable patina on all. Necklace has working box tab clasp. Larger earring posts are slightly bent from use and one is missing the original post backing. The disc earrings are clips and could be converted by a jeweler to posts or hooks. All are wearable and in good condition!