Catalog: Estate Jewelry: Silver (127)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, hand wrought set was designed by Taxco artist William Spratling in the early 1940's. The necklace measures 20 1/2" long & weighs 100 grams. Each link is 1" wide. The bracelet is 7" long X 1" wide and has it's original safety chain. It weighs 45 grams. Both pieces are in beautiful condition with a lovely, aged patina. The design is pictured in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk. It is also shown on Phyllis Goddard's site spratlingsilver.com.

Spratling described this stunning design as "a wide Aztec bracelet with framed buttons" according to Goddard's spratlingsilver.com. It was one of Spratling's most popular designs in the 1930's - 1940's and still is today. Weighing 185 grams, the bracelet measures 2" high at the front with 1 1/8" opening at the back. The interior measures 2 1/2" across the inside. The bracelet is in beautiful condition with an aged patina. The design is also referred to as River of Life bracelet.

This gorgeously fluid design by Taxco, Mexico artist Antonio Pineda measures 6 7/8" wearable length and 3/4" wide. The bracelet weighs 122 grams. It is in beautiful condition with a warm & aged patina. The clasp and safety chain are in perfect working order. Fully hallmarked on the reverse with Antonio CROWN, 970 STERLING, Eagle 17 & pattern ZZ616. Antonio apprenticed under William Spratling before opening his own very successful shop in 1940.

Spratling designed this "pyramid" buckle in the 1940's. The buckle measures 2 1/8" X 1 1/2". It weighs 40 grams & will fit a 1 1/8" wide strap. The design is pictured on spratlingsilver.com where Phyllis Goddard explains the design was "made in 3 versions with this one being the largest or the "grande" model." The buckle is in great condition with heavy patina and some surface wear. Hallmarked on the reverse SPRATLING SILVER & MADE IN MEXICO. The buckle is pictured in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill, SPRATLING SILVER by Cederwall & Riney and SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE by Phyllis Goddard.

Hand wrought in thick silver & weighing 95 grams this cuff was designed by Spratling in the 1940's. The bracelet stands 1 1/2" high and will comfortably fit up to a 6 3/4" wrist. Inside diameter is 2 1/2". The back opening is 1 1/4" wide. The bracelet is in beautiful condition with a nicely aged patina. Hallmarked on the reverse. The design is pictured on p. 37 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk. Also pictured on Phyllis Goddards' spratlingsilver.com.

This unusual sterling silver ring was designed by Frank Patania Sr. in the 1950's. The ring size is a 7 1/2. It measures 1 3/8" tall X 3/4" & is in excellent condition with a warm, aged patina. The beautiful turquoise stone is bezel set. Patania hallmarks are FP, STERLING, & the THUNDERBIRD Shop logo.

This rosewood & sterling bracelet was designed & signed in the early 1940's by Taxco, Mexico & American artist William Spratling. Weighing 108 grams, the bracelet measures 1 3/8" wide with an interior length of 7". In excellent condition with a beautifully aged patina on both wood & silver. Pin closure with safety chain is tight and secure. Fully signed with Spratlings' early 1940's hallmarks. This Spratling design is included in the MUSEUM OF FINE ART BOSTON permanent collection. Pictured on spratlingsilver.com and on P.49 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill.

The SPRATLING DE MEXICO hallmarks suggest that Spratling designed this intricately constructed silver & chrysocolla mosaic brooch in 1949-50. This was shortly after his Alaskan design period. In beautiful condition, the pin measures 4 1/3" long & weighs 38 grams. The pin back & safety are tight & secure. This design is pictured on p. 40 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. The design is also shown on Phyllis Goddards' spratlingsilver.com and in her book SPRATLING SILVER A FIELD GUIDE. Spratling's drawing of the design is included in the Spratling folio of drawings.

This sterling silver necklace was designed and signed (c.1940) by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). The pendant measures 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" and can be worn as a brooch by easily detaching the 20" long sterling silver chain. The pendant with chain weighs 110 grams. Both silver and the beautiful amethyst stones are in excellent condition. Shown and described on spratlingsilver.com. Also pictured in SPRATLING SILVER: A FIELD GUIDE by Phyllis Goddard and in MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill of p.44.

Strong and impressive, this sterling silver & obsidian pendant & chain was designed by Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling in the late 1940's. The pendant with bail is 3 1/2" high X 2" wide. The heavy, original sterling chain is 18" long. The pendant with chain weighs 82 grams. The carved volcanic arrow beautifully reflects deep, rich colors as it moves & catches the light. Hallmarked on the reverse. This design is pictured on p. 42 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. Also featured in Spratling Silver: A Field Guide by Phyllis Goddard.

This vintage, finely detailed feathered serpent pin was designed by Taxco, Mexico artist Margot Van Voorhies. The brooch is 4" X 2" & weighs 28 grams. The darkened patina emphasizes the hand wrought beauty of the repousse' work. The piece is in beautiful condition. Both the pin back and safety lock are in excellent working order. Fully hallmarked on the back of the pin. Margot de Taxco designs are included in WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENNISANCE by Penny Morrill. Margot's designs are also included in the permanent Mexican Silver collection at LACMA.

This iconic Spratling brooch was designed c. 1940's by American & Taxco, Mexico artist William Spratling (1900-67). The pin stands 2 1/2" tall X 2" wide and weighs 41 grams. Each amethyst is bezel set and surrounded by a deep channel giving the eyes a 3 D effect. Both silver and stones are in beautiful condition. Pin back and safety are in fine working order. Fully hallmarked on the reverse. The pin is pictured on p. 44 of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carole Berk. Bille Hougart's THE LITTLE BOOK OF MEXICAN SILVER TRADE AND HALLMARKS uses this Spratling design on the book cover. The pin is also pictured on Phyllis Goddard's spratlingsilver.com. Spratling designs are featured in the permanent 20th Century Mexican silver collection at Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Spratling often used an arrow or an arrowhead in his designs. Here he pairs 925 sterling silver with matte onyx in each arrowhead link for an eye-catching combination. The necklace measures 17" long and 9/16" wide. The earrings are 1" high and inlaid with chrysocolla on the front panels. Together the necklace and earrings weigh a comfortable 57 grams. Both are in beautiful condition with minor age wear to the stones. The back of the necklace is also inlaid with matte onyx. Similar designs can be found on spratlingsilver.com and in WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill.

Hand made in the early 1930's this large 2 1/4" X 2 1/4" Spratling design weighs 47 grams. The buckle will fit up to a 1 1/4" wide strap. The high 980 grade silver provides an exceptional silky texture to the design. The hallmarks on the back are WS TAXCO 980 Mexico. This design is pictured on p. 150 of SPRATLING SILVER by Cederwall & Riney and on Goddard's spratlingsilver.com. The buckle is in excellent condition with a beautiful patina. This design was made in at least 3 sizes. This is the largest we've seen.

Extraordinary and bold, this Spratling design was created & hallmarked c. 1951. In exquisite condition with 70 years of unpolished patina, the pin measures 3 3/4" X 2 3/4" & weighs 40 grams. The carved, heart shaped obsidian stone hangs freely and catches light beautifully. Hallmarked WS and SPRATLING OF MEXICO. A Spratling sketch of this pin is included in the Portfolio of Spratling Drawings.

Rarely available on the market this vintage, sculptural design by Taxco, Mexico artist Antonio Pineda is simply stunning. The intricate melding of sterling silver and stone catches light at every turn. The necklace measures 15 1/2" wearable inches long. The pectoral measures 6 1/4" across & 1 1/2" high at the center panel. The necklace weighs 156 grams. Both stones and silver are in exquisite condition. Hallmarks on the back date the necklace to the late 1940's. A similar necklace with amethyst is pictured on p. 119 of SILVER SEDUCTION: THE ART OF MEXICAN MODERNIST ANTONIO PINEDA.

Beautifully detailed, this delicately hand forged sterling silver necklace and earrings set was designed by Frederick Davis in his very early years living in Mexico City. The necklace measures 16 1/2" long. The central "mask" is 3/4" high. The earrings are also 3/4" high. The Fred Davis FD hallmark is on the necklace clasp. At some point in later years the earrings were converted to posts and are no longer hallmarked. The set is in beautiful condition with unpolished patina. Davis designs are included LACMA's permanent collection of vintage Mexican silver.

Possibly one of Hector Aguilar's most recognizable designs, his timeless "lyre" necklace and bracelet are both sensual & strong. The necklace is 16" long X 3/4" wide & weighs 144 grams. The bracelet is 47 grams, 6 3/4" long X 5/8" wide. Both are in excellent condition with a beautifully aged patina. This design is pictured on p. 30 of SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny Morrill.

Intricately constructed in 970 sterling, this Antonio Pineda bracelet weighs a hefty 99 grams. It stands 3/4 inch high and has a wearable length up to 6 3/4". Each of the 9 gorgeous oval stones are 1/2" long. The design allows the stones to move or float freely within their frames. All stones are in beautiful condition. The turquoise clasp and safety chain are in excellent condition with beautiful patina. Stamped on the clasp with Antonio's crown hallmark.

Spratling often used the arrow in his silver necklace, bracelet, pin and container designs. This hand forged arrow was made in his very early years in Taxco, Mexico. The pin measures an impressive 3 inches long and is beautiful condition. Both the pin back and safety lock are in fine working order. Spratling designs can be seen in many permanent museum collections.

This striking design was created by Taxco, Mexico modernist Antonio Pineda in the 1950's. 20 brilliant tigers eye stones are set into 970 sterling frames. Silver rods tipped with beautifully matched pearls & 2 with silver are interspersed. The central element measures 3 3/4" across & 2 3/4" long at the center. The silver tipped velvet cord measures 29" long. Weighing 70 grams the necklace is in exquisite condition.

Spratling gold designs rarely appear on the market. Here he uses hand-carved spondylus shell, 18K gold beads & coral shell to eye-catching effect. Each earring measures 1 1/2" high x 1 1/4" across. Both are in beautiful, original condition. Interestingly, his design embeds 2 extra gold beads into the shell of only one earring. A Spratling necklace of spondylus & 18K gold is pictured on p.58 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE. On pgs. 56-57 the books author, Penny Morrill discusses in detail Spratling's gold designs and the period surrounding them. LACMA & MFA Boston have Spratling's gold designs in their permanent museum collections.

Deep repousse' was used to create Spratlings' magnificent and labor intensive feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl design. Weighing 60 grams & measuring 3 1/4" x 2" the pin is in exquisite condition with gorgeous patina. This design is included in the 20th Century Mexican silver collection at Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The Quetzalcoatl pin was also used on the cover of the 4th edition of MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill & Carol Berk. It was displayed in the museum exhibit WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE and pictured on p. 167 where author Penny Morrill explains in detail the art of repousse'. Spratling also designed a necklace using the Quetzalcoatl design.

Spratling designed this impressive pendant in the 1940's. Measuring 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" the piece is beautifully detailed with 4 beveled cut amethyst stones & a center cab set into thick silver frames. The sterling chain in the style of Spratling measures 20" long. Together the cross and chain weigh 87 grams. The piece is in beautiful vintage condition. Two tiny nicks can be felt on the backside of two stones. Fully hallmarked for Spratling on the back. This cross is pictured on p. 150 of the museum catalog WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill.

Spratling designed this pin in 1942 as part of a series of items depicting continental solidarity. The pin shows clasped hands superimposed over a gold gilded map of the western hemisphere. This pin was made in two sizes, this being the larger at 1 1/2" x 1 1/4". The fastener is a two pronged clip. Both pin and original fastener are in excellent condition. In 1942 Macy's Dept. Store did an entire window dedicated to this design. The pin is pictured on Phyllis Goddards' website spratlingsilver.com. The design is also pictured on p. 36 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill.

This sculpturally stunning cuff was designed by Spratling during the rare(1949-51) period when he signed his work SPRATLING De MEXICO STERLING. Spratling marries rich, carved azur malachite and heavy sterling silver to beautiful effect. Weighing 85 grams the cuff stands 2" high at the front tapering to 1" at back. The interior length is 5 3/4" plus 1 1/4" opening. The piece is in beautiful condition. This design is included in LACMA's Latin American & Mexican silver collection and on their website. The bracelet is referred to as torque cuff on p.246 of WILLIAM SPRATLING AND THE MEXICAN SILVER RENAISSANCE by Penny Morrill. It is also pictured on Phyllis Goddards' site spratlingsilver.com.