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Bracelet

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

Although one of the twentieth century's most prolific creators of handmade jewelry, William Spratling stood consciously outside the modernist movement thatt flourished during his career. Trained as an architect, he was introduced to the idea of jewelry making during sojourns in Mexico beginning in 1926. In 1929 he moved to Taxco, Mexico, the site of centuries-old silver mines, and set up a company of local artisans to revive the art of silver hollowware and jewelry. His designs were inspired primarily by pre-Columbian motifs. This venture became an enormous success, especially during World War II and immediately after when department stores in the United States were cut off from European suppliers of luxury goods. Unfortunately, Spratling lost control of his company to other investors, and by 1946 Spratling y Artesanos was out of business. Thanks to his apprenticeship system, however, his legacy continues in Mexico today.

MEDIUM Silver
DATES ca. 1935–1940
DIMENSIONS 1 1/8 x 7 3/4 in. (2.9 x 19.7 cm)  (show scale)
MARKINGS Incised on reverse of a short link " [M]ADE IN/TAXCO" and "980".
ACCESSION NUMBER 2006.7.2
CREDIT LINE Gift of Dr. Martin R. and Eve Lebowitz in memory of his parents, Henry and Esther Lebowitz
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CAPTION William Spratling (American, 1900–1967). Bracelet, ca. 1935–1940. Silver, 1 1/8 x 7 3/4 in. (2.9 x 19.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Martin R. and Eve Lebowitz in memory of his parents, Henry and Esther Lebowitz, 2006.7.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2006.7.2_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 2006.7.2_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2006
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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William Spratling (American, 1900–1967). <em>Bracelet</em>, ca. 1935–1940. Silver, 1 1/8 x 7 3/4 in. (2.9 x 19.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. Martin R. and Eve Lebowitz in memory of his parents, Henry and Esther Lebowitz, 2006.7.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2006.7.2_PS2.jpg)