William Spratling Mexican Azur Malachite North Star Pendant Necklace
browse these categories for related items...
Directory: Estate Jewelry: Silver: Mexican: Pre 1960: Item # 1479247
Directory: Estate Jewelry: Silver: Mexican: Pre 1960: Item # 1479247
Please refer to our stock # 187761442 when inquiring.
Sold
Sold
Circa late 1950 to early 1952, this necklace is shown on the Spratling Silver website. Noted to be a larger, more square version of the North Star necklace, it's a very rare piece from William Spratling produced by Conquistador. From his second design period, inspired by his Alaskan period. It's a book-piece design shown in "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance", p. 239. Spratling signed a contract with Conquistador, which was the largest silver manufacturer in Mexico City at that time, to produce his designs. Initially he was to provide Conquistador with design drawings, although he ended up providing prototypes upon their request. The contract specified that Spratling would provide the designs, and Conquistador would be responsible for production and marketing, with Spratling retaining ownership of the designs. Conquistador would pay specified fees to Spratling. About a year after the first Spratling/Conquistador designs were introduced, Spratling had his attorney notify Conquistador that he wanted to cancel the contract. Conquistador was not producing at the rate agreed upon, and they also were not paying Spratling his fees. Negotiations took about a year, during which time the hallmarks you see on this piece were used. As noted in Penny C. Morrill's book William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance, "fewer than one hundred twenty of Spratling's designs and models were ever produced during the short duration of their contract". Azur-malachite was a material which Spratling favored during his second design period. Pendant measures 3 7/8" from the top of the bale to bottom, with a width of 2 13/16". Chain measures 18 3/4". Total weight is 42 grams. Pendant is signed and hallmarked with the Conquistador Shield and the eagle assay 13. These hallmarks are shown on the Spratling Silver website, as well as in Spratling Silver: A Field Guide, and Bill Hougart's "The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks. In fine vintage condition with a beautiful patina.
Circa late 1950 to early 1952, this necklace is shown on the Spratling Silver website. Noted to be a larger, more square version of the North Star necklace, it's a very rare piece from William Spratling produced by Conquistador. From his second design period, inspired by his Alaskan period. It's a book-piece design shown in "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance", p. 239. Spratling signed a contract with Conquistador, which was the largest silver manufacturer in Mexico City at that time, to produce his designs. Initially he was to provide Conquistador with design drawings, although he ended up providing prototypes upon their request. The contract specified that Spratling would provide the designs, and Conquistador would be responsible for production and marketing, with Spratling retaining ownership of the designs. Conquistador would pay specified fees to Spratling. About a year after the first Spratling/Conquistador designs were introduced, Spratling had his attorney notify Conquistador that he wanted to cancel the contract. Conquistador was not producing at the rate agreed upon, and they also were not paying Spratling his fees. Negotiations took about a year, during which time the hallmarks you see on this piece were used. As noted in Penny C. Morrill's book William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance, "fewer than one hundred twenty of Spratling's designs and models were ever produced during the short duration of their contract". Azur-malachite was a material which Spratling favored during his second design period. Pendant measures 3 7/8" from the top of the bale to bottom, with a width of 2 13/16". Chain measures 18 3/4". Total weight is 42 grams. Pendant is signed and hallmarked with the Conquistador Shield and the eagle assay 13. These hallmarks are shown on the Spratling Silver website, as well as in Spratling Silver: A Field Guide, and Bill Hougart's "The Little Book of Mexican Silver Trade and Hallmarks. In fine vintage condition with a beautiful patina.
