From his third design period, this design is shown on the Spratling Silver website. Described as "round urns with three feet of silver and obsidian". These are collector quality, and this design is very seldom seen. They are very comfortable to wear, have beautiful movement, and look fabulous on.
Measures 1 3/8" tall with a width of 11/16".
Weight is 16.6 grams.
Signed and hallmarked with the WS Script Square "WS William Spratling .925 Taxco Mexico" and the eagle assay 30...
Amethyst stones set off this very large 3.5in. x 2 3/8in. jewel designed by Maestro Horacio de la Parra and is properly hallmarked as shown. This rare piece weighs 16.5 grams and is featured in SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO.
Though it is not uncommon to find Mexican silver fur pins, it is usually single pieces that are available. Here, however, there is a pair bearing the signature of the Los Castillo in a “bow and flower” design. I am not sure if the workshop ever made a whole parure available in this specific design - I have had the small bow necklace / bracelet sets in the past but this is an enhanced version, with more elements added to the bow and the bow itself bigger and fancier...
A pair of William Spratling Silver earrings with central balls surrounded by wide circles. These earrings were in the 1943 catalog and come from the 1st design period.
Measure 1 1/4" across and 1 1/2" high including the screw back. Marked on the back of one screw back with the conjoined WS and Spratling Made in Mexico. The other has Spratling Silver on the back. Screw backs hold securely. Have some tarnish and minor scratches...
A pair of hard to find William Spratling silver earrings with a ruffled silver band adorned with silver beads. These earrings are from the 1st design period. They are pictured on page 54 of Morrill and Beck's book, "Mexican Silver".
Measure 1 3/4" across and 2" high including the screw backs. Marked Spratling Silver on the back of each screw back. They are sterling silver or better. The screw backs hold securely. The earrings have some tarnish and minor scratches...
A rare glass advertising store display for William Spratling.
Measures 5 3/4" long, 3" high and 1/2" deep at the bottom. Wedge shaped.
Design is chiseled into the back. In fine condition with some very minor nicks at the edges. The marks in the photo are reflections. Has the WS script logo.
Great addition for the Taxco sterling collector.
A substantial sterling silver chain composed of doubled rings, bars and beads with connecting links; there is a central ring for attaching a pendant, or the chain can be worn as is. The secure box clasp bears what appears to be the maker’s mark of Beto, as pictured in Bille Hougart’s Mexican silver marks book, third edition, p. 27. The eagle 22 is the most legible mark; the others are not entirely clear. The chain measures 27 ½ inches long, unclasped. Weight: 38 grams
This is a 970 SILVER ANTONIO TIE BAR with a piece of MALACHITE centrally set on the Bar. Overall length is 2 1/8". Nicely marked on the back ANTONIO TAXCO within the CROWN LOGO and 970 (see jpg for additional info. Circa 1950 with light Silver scuffs. This is a most Desirable ANTONIO 970 TIE BAR
A fanciful and fabulous early vintage Brooch by the important Taxco silver artist Antonio Pineda in the shape of a pea pod filled with three oval black Onyx peas at the center. Measures 3 1/2" long by 7/8" wide and weighs 23.7 grams. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, Silver, Sterling, 970, Mexico, PZ 571 and the eagle stamp 17. Light age related wear and tarnish with a pin closure. A unique and special piece.
This is the "Bar Braid Pin" by Hector Aguilar
featured on page 150 of the book SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny C. Morrill. She dates it circa 1940 and it is in 940 silver.
Measuring 2 7/8" by 1/2", it weighs 13 grams and is in fine original condition. Signed as shown. One of his very famous designs.
A substantial, Pre Columbian design 950 silver bracelet from Taxco, Mexico by the noted silversmith Roman Chavarrieta, who was known to work for Plateria Emma.
Signed R. Chavarrieta, Taxco, Mex and 950 which is better than sterling. Measures 7 1/2" long and 1 3/8" wide. Has two hook clasps that hold securely.
Deep incised design. Heavy silver. Early piece.
An inspired lapidary and an ingenious designer Felipe Martinez opened his workshop “Piedra y Plata” in 1950. His work is a testament to his exceptional talent and his commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and the use of choice materials. I love all his jewelry but I believe that he was at its best working within the confines of modernism which he enriched with references to Mexico’s archeological past...
Large vintage circa 1930's sterling silver belt buckle designed by William Spratling, executed and signed by Artemio Navarrete. Navarrete was Spratling's first master silversmith and trained other silver artisans in Spratling's early Taxco, Mexico work shop. The buckle measures 2" X 2" and will accommodate a 1 1/4" wide strap. Weight - 20 grams or .8oz. Hallmarked on reverse conjoined AN, 980 and TAXCO. This design is pictured on Phyllis Goddards' excellent website spratlinsilver.com...
The most charming Damaso Gallegos set of bells consisting of earrings and a brooch. This set is fabulous for the holiday season. The set weighs 12grams for the earrings and 17 grams for the brooch. The brooch is 2in. tall and the earrings are 1.25in.
Fun and perfect for this summer - especially if you decide to stay away from beaches! - this mod sterling silver "fish with air bubble" necklace by Los Castillo comes out of the workshop's "onix negro" line of jewelry. I find this technique fascinating - it poses a big challenge to the lapidary's and silversmith's abilities as the onyx slab has to be carved out precisely to the dimensions of the sterling inlay that will be set in it...
The "Aztec Roses" motif is a classic for Mexican silver cuff bracelet from the Deco period. They are usually executed en repoussage, come in all widths and configurations and the most "famous" ones are signed by Sanborn's and Maciel. The impressive in heft and presence example I am presenting here differs from most in that its repousse work is closed in the back with an additional sheet of sterling...
A repousse bracelet worked with great skill and signed JVE. A nice size being 1.25in. wide and approximately 40 grams of heavy repousse. The length is 7.25in. of comfort with no damage. The floral motif is on a thick silver base.
This Mexican Silver necklace is hallmarked with an ms conjoined, Taxco, Sterling and an eagle 3 as shown. It is very outside of what I would normally acquire. Lighter than my average acquisitions, it is solid with no repousse and is 30 grams in weight. Very comfortable as it feels lighter than air...