William Spratling is often referred to the "Father of Contemporary Mexican Silver" which is a title that was well deserved. He was an innovative and talented designer of Mexican silver jewelry and other pieces of artwork made of copper and tin. He dedicated his time and skill to the artistic development and growth of the silver industry in Taxco. Spratling jewelry is extremely collectable and each piece is considered a wonderful work of art. Rarely did William Spratling work with gold, however, his discovery of ancient Mayan lands and artifacts in the late 1920s with distinguished Tulane University anthropologists, sparked his interested in the precious metal.
This extremely rare Vintage necklace from the late 1950s is a fantastic example of William Spratling's expansive talent! A very unusual and one-of-a-kind Spratling piece, this necklace, which is quite substantial both in size and appearance, is crafted in sterling silver. The necklace is composed of circular sterling silver beads, which graduate in size. While the majority of the beads feature a smooth and simple surface, some of the beads feature a decorative cutout-design, which adds to the unique appeal of the piece. The necklace secures with a disc-shaped push clasp, which is stamped "SPRATLING", "SILVER", and "MADE IN MEXICO". A phenomenal designer piece, his necklace would make a great addition to any Vintage-era jewelry collection!
Measurements: The necklace measures approximately 18.5" long from end to end. The largest bead has a diameter of 3/4" and the smallest bead has a diameter of 1/8".
Condition: The overall condition of the necklace is excellent. Besides normal surface wear, there is no serious damage to the sterling silver beads, and the push clasp is secure and in working order.
