William Spratling vintage silver jewelry
Conch Shell sterling silver pin. 1950s. William Spratling vintage silver jewelry
William Spratling vintage silver jewelry
Legendary American silver designer and artist William Spratling (1900-1967) was a huge influence on the revival of Mexican silver design in the 20th century. An architect by training, Spratling began rebuilding Taxco’s silver industry in 1931. Initially, he created silver items from pre-Columbian and traditional motifs. In founding his workshop, Taller de las Delicias, he hired local jewelers to implement his designs in silver. Already at the end of the 1930s, more than 500 artisans worked in his workshop. His pieces were sold through the Montgomery Ward catalogs, as well as on Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. Noteworthy, he marked his earliest works with interlocking initials WS.
In the 1940s Spratling in partnership with Victor Silson of New York manufactured silver plated jewelry. Accordingly, the marking of this period includes Spratling of Mexico Silson Inc and initials WS. In mid-1940s, he sold most of the shares to Russell Maguire, which eventually led the company to bankruptcy.
However, Spratling rebuilt his workshop in Taxco and began producing silver jewelry and decorative objects in 1952.
Bow brooch pin. Amethyst cabochon, textured sterling silver. 1940s
Registered in 1957, Mexican branch of William Spratling jewelry trademark went through the changes of owners and registrations. The marking includes WS in the center and “Made in Mexico Spratling” around it, “Spratling Silver”, “WS 980”, and simple script “WS”. In the 1960s, he began producing jewelry with the use of gold, and the marking included “WS” and “18K”.
William Spratling vintage silver jewelry
After the death of Spratling in 1969, Sucesores de William Spratling continued to produce old Spratling designs, as well as new designs into the early 1980’s. Traditionally, they marked their pieces with “925 Silver Taxco S.A. DE C.V. MEXICO. Located in Mexico silver shop Sa De CV William Spratling is still active. The last new owners of the trademark are Veronica Consuelo Urich McGuire and Violante Juanita Urich McGuire, and the status of the trademark since 2006 – registered and renewed.
Amethyst cabochon sterling silver brooch
Antique sterling silver pin pendant
Black onyx sterling silver dandling earrings
Blue amethyst sterling silver screw back earrings
Bird sterling silver brooch pin
Butterfly sterling silver brooch
Copper and silver bracelet. 1940s
Cross sterling silver pendant
Flower brooch. Sterling silver, carnelian stone. 1940s
Geometric design sterling silver screw back earrings. 1950s
Tulip flower in hand brooch. Carved amethyst, sterling silver. 1940s
Hands holding flower cuff bracelet. Sterling silver, jade
Mask design sterling silver brooch. 1940s
Modernist star design screw back earrings. Sterling silver, obsidian
Monkey brooch. Sterling silver, turquoise inlay
Owl sterling silver brooch pin. Made by Silson on Spratling design. 1940
Rauchtopas sterling silver ring
River of Life 980 silver cuff bracelet. 1930s
Silson and Spartling 1940s sterling silver necklace
Six-petal flower brooch. 980 silver. 1950s
Square shaped sterling silver earrings
Sun Moon design pendant, brooch and earrings. Sterling silver, copper
Tulip flowers amethyst sterling silver brooch. 1950s
Water jug sterling silver screw back earrings
Rosewood sterling silver cuff bracelet. 1950s
Markings:
Early Spratling 980 silver stamp
1940-1946 mark
WS monogram 1930s early 1940s signature
WS monogram Spratling of Mexico & Silson
