William Spratling (American/expatriate in Mexico, 1900-1967), Mexico, ca. 1964 to 1967. An exquisite sterling silver choker adorned with two rows of jingling danglers - the 16 danglers on top staggered with 17 danglers below. Each dangler presents a flat circular disc adorned by a single spherical granule at the lower end. On the verso of one of the danglers of the bottom row is a William Spratling Script Square hallmark (ca. 1964 to 1967). The overall chocker design is comprised of a lower crescent-shaped section decorated with danglers and linked to two upper arched bands that meet to clasp at the top center. A beautiful piece of wearable art by William Spratling. Silver quality: 93.39% silver. Weight: 90.7 grams. Size of interior neck: 15" L (38.1 cm). When viewed together, the two rows of danglers hang 1" L (2.5 cm).

William Spratling was an American expatriate artist, author, and entrepreneur best known for his work as a silversmith and designer who revitalized Taxco, Mexico's silver industry in the early to mid 20th century. Spratling made his initial visit to Mexico in 1926 and returned each summer for the next several years. Finally, in 1929, Spratling actually moved to Mexico to be an expatriate, 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.

In Mexico, 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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#162230

Choker is in excellent condition save minor scuffs here and there. The clasp works well. On the verso of one of the danglers of the bottom row is a William Spratling Script Square hallmark (ca. 1964 to 1967).