-William Spratling 1933 Taxco Art Deco Geometric Bracelet .980 Silver & Amethyst

Bracelet designed by William Spratling.

Beautiful geometric bracelet, created in Taxco Mexico at the atelier of the iconic silversmith William Spratling. This piece is one of his early creation crafted back in the 1933, with art deco patterns in solid .980/.999 sterling silver and fitted with a boxed security push lock.

Amethyst: Mount in bezel settings, with 5 oval cabochon cut (11 x 14 x 6 mm) of natural amethysts, with a weight of 17.50 carats.

Weight: 70.6 Grams, (45.25 Dwt).

Measurements: Length 7 Inches (17.78 Cm) and a width of 31 mm (1.22 Inches).

Hallmarks: Stamped with the co joined maker's marks associated to the period of 1933-1940 (Penny Morrill WS-E & WS-H), the mark for the assay of the silver and signed, "TAXCO 980".

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 1nc 1st edition, 2002. . Penny C. Morrill, Silver Master Of Mexico, Shiffer 1996. 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 bracelet has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.

INVENTORY REF: B040623AENJ/2.217