-William Spratling 1940 Taxco Deco Retro Pendant Brooch In .925 Sterling And Copper

Pendant brooch designed by William Spratling.

Fabulous three-dimensional scrolls brooch pendant, created in Taxco Mexico by the iconic silversmith William Spratling, back in the 1940. Made with art deco influences with a combination of elements crafted in solid .925/.999 sterling silver and pure copper. Designed with geometric volutes and scrolls and is fitted with a hinged pair of vertical pin bars to wear as a brooch. This can be also weared as a pendant, please see the pictures on model.

Weight: 51.80 Grams, (33.20 Dwt).

Measurements: 65 mm by 77 mm by 26 mm (2.56 x 3.03 x 1.02 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with the secondary maker's mark associated to the period of 1940-1946 (Penny Morrill WS-L), the mark for the assay of the silver and signed, "SPRATLING MADE IN MEXICO STERLING".

Note: In 1940 Spratling decided that he wanted his name "Spratling" (rather than just his initials) to appear on each of his silver designs, and so he created the primary hallmark, WS Print Circle. This primary mark was used from circa 1940 until circa 1946 when Spratling y Artesanos ceased operations.  The secondary mark, Made in Mexico, appears to have been used only circa 1942. Also in 1940, at the same time that Spratling created a primary mark that featured his name in addition to his initials, he created a tertiary mark that also included his name:Spratling Silver. This new tertiary mark was in use circa 1940 to 1944. During the transition period circa 1940 when Spratling was changing from the tertiary marks 925 and 980 to the tertiary mark Spratling Silver, applied plaques ( shown on page 27 Spratling Silver: A Field Guide) were often used over the earlier marks on those silver pieces he had in his inventory.

William Phillips Spratling, born in September 22 1900, in Sonyea, N.Y. He was an American designer and architect, who spent more than 30 years in Mexico developing and promoting the silvercraft that made the city of Taxco famous. A graduate of the New York Fine Arts Institute and Auburn University, in Alabama (where he studied architecture), Spratling taught art and architecture at Tulane University, New Orleans, La., for eight years before going to Mexico. In 1926, William Spratling, traveled to Mexico to deliver a lecture at the National University of Mexico. He fell in love with the place and especially with the historic silver mining city of Taxco where he bought a home. By 1931 Spratling had opened a shop dealing in silver articles of his own design. Over the next thirty-five years, Spratling employed a host of craftsmen to execute the designs which Mexico, its history, art, archaeology, and tradition inspired in him. For two years he taught at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City (1927–29) and then settled in Taxco, an old silver town (founded in 1528) that had long been in decay. He befriended silver artisans from all over Mexico and began the design of silver jewelry, artwork, tableware, and tea sets, opening his first taller, or workshop, on the Calle Las Delicias in 1933. After World War II his workshop went bankrupt, but he continued his work from a nearby ranch. His example inspired the founding of hundreds of competing workshops.

Literature: Penny C. Morrill, William Spratling & The Mexican Silver Renaissance Maestros de Plata, Harry N. Abrams Editors Inc 1st edition, 2002.. Penny C. Morrill, Silver Master Of Mexico, Shiffer 1996. Penny C. Morrill. Mexican Silver : 20th Century Handwrought Jewelry & Metalwork. Shiffer 1998. For similar examples illustrated.

Collateral: It is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.

Condition: The overall condition of this piece is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the silver. This brooch has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: P040623RNNJ/1.535