William Spratling and the Mexican Silver Renaissance: Maestros de Plata

by Penny Chittim Morrill

William Spratling revolutionized silver jewelry design in Mexico. Arriving in Taxco in 1929, by 1940 he had over 100 silversmiths producing his enormously popular silver creations. Important figures of the North American literary and art establishment, among them John dos Passos, William Faulkner, and Georgia O'Keeffe, purchased his designs and sang his praises. Out of Spratling's workshop emerged many of Mexico's finest silver designers, including Héctor Aguilar, Antonio Castillo and his brothers Jorge and Justo, Salvador Terán, and Antonio Pineda. Today their striking jewelry and hollowware in silver-often set with precious stones and pre-Columbian artifacts-are prized collectibles. This book tells the story of the legendary designer and of seven decades of the silversmith's art in Mexico. With its elegant photographs and an invaluable appendix of hallmarks, this volume-which accompanies a traveling exhibition that will draw new attention to Spratling's silver designs-will appeal to collectors, dealers, scholars, and everyone who enjoys beautiful jewelry.

284 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[s.claxton norman]

It's

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has stunning photographs of artists' work along with a well-written and highly accessible text on Spratling and the Mexican silver renaissance in Taxco. The only disappointing thing is that the book is out of print.

[Lynn Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

the masters, a must have