Catalog (156)

Spratling designed this eye catching "entwined hands" buckle in the late 1940's. Measuring 5" X 2 1/4" & weighing 49 grams the piece is in beautiful condition. The back loops will accommodate up to a 1 inch strap. The buckle can also be worn as a pendant. Spratling also designed a similar "hands" necklace. Hallmarks are WS 925. A later version, (c.1965) of this buckle appears on p. 147 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill.

This elegant work of art is a 1940's Spratling design. The ring stands a bit over 1" high. The ring size is about 7 1/2. It is in beautiful condition with some surface wear. Hallmarked SPRATLING SILVER MADE IN MEXICO.

This elegant silver box was handcrafted in Mexico City during the 1940's. It measures 8"L X 3 1/2W " X 1" high & weighs 1 lb. 5 Oz. The subtle scallop design is worked into thick silver on all sides. The wood lined interior creates 3 compartments. Both wood and silver are in beautiful condition. Hallmarked for SANBORNS on the underside. Earrings & cufflinks shown in the box are not included in this sale but are available on request.

Designed by Spratling c. 1950's, this martini pitcher & stirrer were hand wrought in Taxco, Mexico. The pitcher stands 5 1/2" tall & weighs 400 grams. The stirrer/spoon is 10" long. Both are in excellent condition. Both the spoon and pitcher are signed on the reverse. The pitcher is pictured on p. 258 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk. Also pictured on Phyllis Goddards' spratlingsilver.com.

This hand wrought silver bracelet was designed by Hector Aguilar in the early 1940's. The carved rope wraps all the way around the bracelet. Weighing 35 grams it measures 3/4" wide and about 2 1/2 inches across. The piece has a beautifully aged patina with normal wear. Fully hallmarked for Aguilar on the inside.

When Frederick W. Davis (1880-1961) designed this most unusual necklace he likely chose this ancient hand carved stone from his Pre-Columbian collection. The wearable length of the necklace is 20 inches. The pendant including cascabeles is 2 3/4" X 2". The small jade mask looks to be from the ancient Mexican city of Teotihuacan. When the artist placed the jade mask in onyx, he may have carved it to replicate the large ear adornments and necklace that priests of Teotihuacan wore. The necklace is in beautiful condition. Signed FD on the necklace clasp. Many thanks to author Penny Morrill for her excellent books & writings on Davis & 20th century Mexican silver.

Spratling designed this lovely work of art in the 1940's. The sterling silver basket holds 3 hand carved chalcedony stone flowers in varying shades of color. The brooch measures 2 7/8" across X 2 1/2" high & weighs 47 grams. The pin is in beautiful condition & fully hallmarked for Spratling on the reverse. The design is pictured on spratlingsilver.com and in Phyllis Goddard's book SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE.

This sterling silver and copper bolo was designed by Antonio Pineda c. 1950's. The bear claw measures 3" X 2 3/4". Each of the arrowhead tips are 3/4" L. The piece weighs 78 grams. The overall length of the adjustable bolo cord measures 33" from arrow tip to arrow tip. Fully hallmarked. All in fine condition.

Rope designs were used exclusively in Spratling's 1st design period, 1931-46. This amethyst & 980 sterling pendant measures 2" X 1 3/4" X 1 3/8". The box is suspended by a heavy sterling Spratling chain measuring 24" long. Both box and chain are in beautiful condition. The circular clasp is tight and secure. Fully hallmarked WS 980 TAXCO. The amethyst box necklace is pictured in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk and in SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE by Phyllis Goddard.

Spratling designed this stunning sterling silver piece during a period of time when he worked to develop a plan modeled on what he had done in Taxco, to help create an economic base for native Alaskans writes Penny Morrill in her book WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENASSIANCE p.239. Inlaid with azur-malachite the pendant measures 4" X 3". The necklace is 18" long. Signed SPRATLING DE MEXICO & Eagle 13, hallmarks used by Spratling from 1949-51. All in beautiful condition. Pictured in MEXICAN SILVER by Greta Pack & Mary Davis & in Penny Morrills' catalog for the touring USA museum exhibit, WILLIAM SPRATLNG AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE.

Spratling designed this extraordinary pair of sterling wall sconces in the 1950's. Hand forged in sterling silver, each sconce measures 7 1/4" high X 7 1/4" across. Total weight of the pair is 300 grams. The sunburst composition is reminiscent of the sterling silver necklace Spratling designed for cosmetic entrepreneur & philanthropist Helena Rubenstein in the 1940's. The sconces are in beautiful vintage condition. Both are signed WILLIAM SPRATLING TAXCO MEXICO, eagle 30.

Spratling was known to have a large collection of Pre-Columbian Mayan & Olmec objects. He designed this necklace using hand wrought sterling silver beads, coral beads & hand carved obsidian Olmec figures most likely acquired from locals in the surrounding areas of Taxco, Mexico. The wearable length of the necklace is 16 inches and weighs 32 grams. Each carved image is unique and about 1/2" high. The necklace is in excellent condition. Clasp is tight & secure. A similar Spratling necklace with Pre-Columbian obsidian duckbills is shown on p.145 of DREAMING IN SILVER by Penny Morrill. Dr. Morrill discusses how Spratling incorporated Pre-Columbian pieces into his designs in gold & silver in the 1950's on page 151.