Ever since the Spanish conquistadors introduced
metalsmithing to the Americas, the art of working the precious silver mines of
Mexico have provided a lucrative craft.
But it wasn’t until a young designer named William Spratling -- artist, silversmith, and great visionary -- did Mexican silver receive its long
due artistic recognition and respect, as well as cater to the wealthy tastes of
the upwardly mobile and socially important trend setters of the period.
Spratling’s simple shop or
Taller, opened in the once sleepy
Mexican town of Taxco back in 1931,
helped develop the many popular Silver
Masters and techniques so highly prized today, surviving well into the wartime
years and into the ever popular Mid-Century exploration of geo, abstract, and
tribal designs.
Here are some of my favorite Mexican jewelry pieces from the
Metro Retro Vintage shop, which exhibit excellence, and at times whimsy, in both
craftsmanship and design.
