William Spratling (American, 1900-1967), Mexico, ca. mid 20th century CE. A lovely ensemble of silver and copper pieces made by Spratling; a belt, two pins, and four earrings. First, the belt is comprised of twenty-five decorative chain links each exhibiting a bifurcated, twisted form connected via twenty-five circular links with an ovoid latch on one end for attachment. Next, the two pins depict a perched owl displaying huge, hemispherical eyes made of onyx and a copper sun and silver crescent moon, each with faces. Last, the four earrings are all identical. Each adornment features a rectangular form with round corners and interiors divided into four striped triangles surrounded by a thick border. All pieces display a Spratling maker's mark and "TS-24" on their versos. The owl pin, however, is also marked with the number "980" on its backside. Quality of metal: Belt: 94.2% silver; owl pin: 97.8% silver; sun and moon pin: moon is 94% silver - sun is 98.3% copper; earrings: 94% silver. Size of necklace: 41.125" L (104.5 cm); Size of largest pin: 3.25" W x 2" H (8.3 cm x 5.1 cm); Size of earring (all the same): 1" W x 1.25" H (2.5 cm x 3.2 cm); Weight: belt: 232.9 grams, owl pin: 35.5 grams, sun and moon pin: 35.6 grams, earrings (together w/out backs): 34.1 grams

William Spratling made his initial visit to Mexico in 1926, and returned each summer for the next several years. Finally, in 1929, Spratling actually moved to Mexico to be an expatriate, becoming an active member of the vibrant artistic circles of Mexico. Spratling promoted the art of none other than Diego Rivera to New York galleries which led to Rivera's participation in the first exhibition of Mexican visual culture held in the United States, funded by the Carnegie Institute, that opened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Not only did Spratling assist in curating the exhibition, but he also lent a number of his own pieces. During this same time period, Spratling was working on drawings for the expanding Morrow (US Ambassador to Mexico Dwight Morrow and his wife, the poet Elizabeth Cutter Morrow) home in Cuernavaca. Many of these drawings were included in the book written by Elizabeth Morrow entitled, "Casa Manana" (Knopf, 1930). It was Ambassador Morrow who suggested that Spratling explore developing the silver industry in Taxco.

Trying to find a way to support himself as an expatriate artist, Spratling took notice of the Taxco's silver-mining history and opened a workshop called the Taller de las Delicias, which translates to "Factory of Delights". Years later, he would write: "Nineteen-thirty-one was a notable year in modern Mexican silversmithing. A young silversmith from Iguala named Artemio Navarrete went to Taxco to work for a small silver shop, founded with the germ of an idea, where Artemio, as a nucleus, began to form silversmiths. The present writer, encouraged by his friends Moises Saenz, Dwight Morrow and Diego Rivera, had set up that little shop called 'Las Delicias.'"

Penny Chittim Morrill, Ph.D., who co-authored :Mexican Silver: 20th Century Hand-wrought Jewelry & Silver" with art dealer Carole Berk is the primary authority on Spratling's work. Morrill was the guest curator for the 2002 traveling exhibition entitled, "William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance: Maestros de Plata," organized by the San Diego Museum of Art. In her catalogue essay, Morrill stated, "In establishing silver as an artistic medium, what Spratling achieved was a delicate balance, a synthesis of abstract tendencies in the existent folk art tradition and in contemporary fine art, resulting in a visualization of concepts and ideas. As importantly, the Taller de las Delicias, became the paradigm for other silver designers to follow. Las Delicias was a community in which imagination and innovation were fostered and encouraged as the men learned the art of silversmithing while producing for profit. In the hierarchy of the workshop, these silversmiths advanced according to their ability, enthusiasm, and technical expertise."

Provenance: ex-private Moore collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired prior to 1990

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#162229

All stamped with Spratling maker's mark and "TS-24". Owl also has "980" mark. Two earrings missing backs, and backs of the other two may not be original. Otherwise, intact and excellent with light patina.