Shown at sunset, the city of Taxco, Mexico, located in the Mexican southern state of Guerrero with the famous cathedral of Santa Prisca at its center.
The place, Taxco is derived from the Nahuatl name, Tlachco meaning “place of the ballgame”. Formerly known as the town of Tetelcingo before the arrival of the Spanish due to the abundance of silver.
This picturesque mountain city became a silver jewelry making center due to the influence of American Architect, William Spratling, who in 1931 decided to re-establish the silver jewelry making industry in this part of Mexico.
Spratling found one of the remaining silversmiths in the area, Artemino Navarrete and commissioned him to create his first designs.
Using Pre-Columbian, Mayan and Aztec architectural motifs as inspiration they established that first design collection. Spratling eventually employed up to 500 local craftsmen to create his designs. He then marketed them to retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue during the 1940’s and beyond.
William Spratling passed away in 1967 and is known to be the “Father of Mexican Silver”. His influence continues today with hundreds of silversmiths in Taxco, producing beautiful works of jewelry art. Some of which will be available to you during our Summer Silver Trunk Show July 15th, 16th and 17th.
