Mexican Silver
January 24, 2010 by admin
Filed under Mexican Silver
The history of silver in Taxco is a fascinating mixture of legend and fact. Located in the hills about 100 miles Southwest of Mexico City, Taxco is one of the oldest mining sites located in the Americas.
As a town, it has retained its natural charm with its beautiful white washed houses, red-tiled roofs, & narrow cobble-stoned streets. The central square (the Zocalo) is shaded by trees & dominated by the stunning 240 year-old Santa Prisca Cathedral.
The natural wealth of silver has been attracting Conquistadors & visitors alike for hundreds of years.
Before the Spanish arrived the native Indians called it Tlacho meaning the place of the ballgame. According to local legend the Aztecs had the locals pay tribute to them with gold bars. Cortes arrived in 1492, and by 1521, the Aztecs were a conquered race. In 1522, Cortes staked his mining claim in Taxco.
By the end of the 16th century, Taxco had become Spain's principle source of silver, & its silver had spread across Europe. Tiny Taxco became famed throughout the world for the beauty & wealth of its silver.
As a mining center, Taxco's fame was relatively short lived, by the 1700's, new, easier sources had been discovered & the Taxco mines were abandoned. Then in 1716 its fortunes changed again when Don Jose de la Borda, out riding his horse in the hills, rediscovered silver in Taxco. In recognition of his good fortune, Borda built the beautiful and Baroque Santa Prisca Cathedral. This magnificent church can be seen from all over Taxco, glittering in the sunlight & reminding all who see it of the incredible wealth that one lay in the surrounding hills.
During Mexico's 19th century war for Independence the Spanish barons destroyed their mines rather than let them fall into the hands of the revolutionaries. Without local silver, the art of silver work died out entirely & Taxco went into decline until it was revived by an unlikely savior, a New Orleans professor of architecture, Bill Spratling.
William Spratling, an American from Tulane University arrived in Taxco in 1926 to study Mexico and its culture and to write a book. He fell in love with the area, and in 1929 he moved permanently to Mexico where he soon became a leading figure in Mexico's artistic community. In 1931 during a passing conversation with the U.S. Ambassador, Spratling discovered that Taxco had been the site of silver mines for centuries, but unfortunately had never been considered a location where silver jewelry and objects of silver were designed and made. This comment changed the course of Taxco's artistic and economic history forever.
Mr. Spratling soon discovered the latent talent in the local community, encouraging the local artisans to create new designs and rediscover the craft of silversmithing. He created an apprentice system for training young silversmiths with artistic talent and gave them the opportunity to develop their skills.
The great beauty and craftsmanship coming out of Taxco earned worldwide recognition and fame once again for Mexico. Over time many of these artisans opened workshops and stores of their own- all encouraged by his unwavering support.
Each November, Taxco honors its source of wealth and fame with the world famous Silver Fair (or Feria Nacional de La Plata), when the craftsmen, artists and silversmiths show their work and a national prize is awarded to the best silver artist of the Fair.
Today, Taxco is designated a national monument and is famed throughout the world for the quality and imagination of its Silver Jewelry.
 Chinese Made 1894 Mexican Bandit Smuggling Silver Coin  US 5.00 |  ANTIQUE MEXICAN SILVER SCALLOP SHELL BUTTER DISH C1900 US $13.51 |
 Vintage Mexican STERLING SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS US .00 |  6 MEXICAN SILVER SHOT GLASS HOLDERS US $24.99 |
 ANTIQUE MINIATURE STERLING SILVER MEXICAN LIGHTER US .99 |  Sterling Silver Glass Mexican Decanter US $69.99 |
 8 Glass Beakers Tumblers w Mexican Silver Holders US 9.99 |  Stunning Mexican sterling silver Heart and Feather Bowl US $145.00 |
 Vintage Mexico Sterling Grape Earrings Mexican Silver US .99 |  Spoon Stirrer Straw Ice Tea Taxco Mexican Sterling US $5.99 |
 2 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SHELL SALT DISH DISHES US .99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Book Mark Sombrero Man US $9.99 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Clover Dish Pin Tray US .99 |  Charming Vintage Mexican Sterling BABY CUP US $19.99 |
 Mid Century Mexican Sterling Ladles w Wood Handles AE US .99 |  Vintage 925 Sterling Mexican Parrot Green Stone Pin US $15.95 |
 Vintage EM Hnos 925 MEXICAN STERLING CANDELABRA US .50 |  6 GOBLET APERITIFS GLASS CUP MEXICAN STERLING TAXCO US $35.00 |
 UNUSUAL SILVER PLATE CANDLESTICKS MEXICAN BEAUTIFUL US .99 |  Antique Mexican Sterling Silver small tray Hand Made RM US $55.00 |
 Mexican Novelty Sterling Silver Mexican Hat 446 grams US .06 |  Mexico Mexican Sterling Silver Donkey Toothpick Holder US $19.99 |
 BIG ANTIQUE 900 FINE COIN SILVER MEXICAN HAT SOMBRERO US .99 |  MEXICAN STERLING SILVER ANTIQUE PERFUME BOTTLE US $9.95 |
 VINTG MEXICAN STERLING OVERLAY GLASS PERFUME BOTTLE NR US .99 |  Antique Mexican Sterling Silver Salt Pepper Shakers US $34.99 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Candle Holder VASE SET US 5.00 |  Mexican Hand Wrought Sterling Silver Cream Sugar Set US $275.00 |
 Antique 7 Pc Mexican Sterling Silver Liquor Set US 3.61 |  VINTAGE 4 FOOTED STERLING SILVER BOWL MEXICAN MADE US $152.50 |
 LOS CASTILLO MEXICAN MALACHITE SILVER PARROT’S PITCH US ,500.00 |  Vtg Mexican Sterling Silver Overlay Salt Pepper Shakers US $9.99 |
 Mexican Vintage 925 Silver Fruit Sweetmeat Bonbon Bowl US 5.00 |  Sterling Silver Mexican Serving Tray Sanborns US $207.51 |
 Sterling Silver Mexican Large Serving Tray Sanborns US 8.00 |  Los Castillo Abalone Shell Silver Bowl Taxco Mexican US $295.00 |
 VTG Mexican Sterling SANBORNs Plate Use Scrap 99 oz US .25 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Bowl R Sanchez US $99.99 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Compote Bowl A Ceron US 9.99 |  Antique Sterling Silver Mexican Condiment Jar Signed US $9.99 |
 MEXICAN 925 SILVER AMETHYST STONE TRINKET PILL JAR BOX US 0.00 |  30S 7 MEXICAN STERLING CHRYSOPRASE MASK BRACELET US $74.99 |
 Mexican sterling Tomato Shaped Powder Box Dresser Jar US 9.99 |  2 Fab Mexican Sterling DONKEY VASES TOOTHPICK HOLDERS US $99.00 |
 Taxco Mexican Sterling Silver Turquoise Trinket Box US .00 |  Mexican 925 Silver Pill Box With Green Stone Lid US $4.99 |
 Mexican Silver Set of Sanborns Salt Pepper Shakers US 5.00 |  MEXICAN AGATE STERLING SILVER RING SIZE 7 1 2 US $39.99 |
 moderni pair Mexican sterling silver candlesticks perf US .00 |  3 pieces MEXICAN ALPACA PESA FLATWARE US $9.99 |
 RARE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER CANDLESTICKS HALLMARK US 9.99 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Hand Wrought Centre Bowl Tane US $124.26 |
 Mexican Sterling Silver Platter Tray Tane 18 US ,025.00 |  Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver Tray 317grms Scrap not US $9.99 |
 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BABY SPOON LOPEZ TAXCO US .99 |  VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SMALL LADLE by PLOPEZ US $39.99 |
 Mexican Silver Set of Sanborns Creamer Sugar US 5.00 |  MEXICAN SET OF SIX SILVERPLATE CUPS US $245.00 |
 LAPIS LAZULI Deco Mexican sterling bracelet signed TS30 US 0.00 |  vintage 925 mexican silver olive picks set of 12 c1930 US $9.99 |
 Early Mexican Cutout Coin Finial with Coin Bowl Spoon US .00 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Pitcher Juvento Reyes 30oz US $203.61 |
 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BLOSSOM STYLE SALAD SERVERS SET US 0.00 |  Vintage JMS Mexican Sterling Silver 925 Ashtray 6 OZ US $195.00 |
 Large C Zurita Mexican Sterling Silver Centerpiece Bowl US ,610.00 |  Hector Aguilar Mexican 940 Silver Bracelet Awesome US $899.00 |
 Pair Ama Mexican Sterling Silver 5 Branch Candleabras US ,500.00 |  Silver Plate AlpacaMexican Mayan Calendar Vintage US $129.99 |
 GREAT VINTAGE MEXICAN SILVER VESTA LIGHTER CASE US .99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Ash TRAY 925 ROSE DESIGN US $145.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Corn Holders Alvarez US 9.00 |  Vintage HUGE Set Mexican Sterling Cocktail picks forks US $195.00 |
 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SALT PEPPER SHAKERS US 0.00 |  Silver Salt Pepper Set Mexican Silver US $24.99 |
 Vintage Mexican Silver Abalone TRAY Modernist US .00 |  MEXICAN STERLING SILVER OLD MEXICO CONQUISTADOR TUREEN US $500.00 |
 OLD MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER FOUNTAIN PEN TRAY US .44 |  Pr Mexican Sterling FOOTED SHELL DISHES SIGNED US $99.00 |
 Antique 19th Century Mexican Sterling Spoon Fork Set US 5.00 |  LOS CASTILLO MEXICAN SILVERPLATE SUGAR BOWL W SPOON US $149.69 |
 J Torres Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Candle Holder US 5.00 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Candle Holder 925 5oz US $165.00 |
 Mexican Sterling HECTOR AGUILAR ornamental spoon TAXCO US 0.00 |  6 Silver Hor de vours Mexican Forks US $60.00 |
 4 900 Silver Hor de vours Mexican Forks US .00 |  925 STERLING SILVER MEXICAN VILLASANA TAXCO BASKET OLD US $99.99 |
 Vintage Maciel Mexican Silver ashtray Tray 4482 2 57Gr US 5.00 |  Vintage Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver TRAY DISH 925 US $89.00 |
 Vintage Myan Calendar Mexican Sterling Silver ashtray US .00 |  Vintage Maciel Mexican Sterling Silver Tray Dish 925 US $115.00 |
 Vintage Maciel Mexican Coin Silver ashtray Tray 2 oz US 5.00 |  Vintage Sterling Silver Vermeil Tulip Flower Mexican US $499.99 |
 925 sterling TAXCo Mexican letter opener resin handle US .00 |  Book BEST on Mexican 20th Century Silver Jewlery Marks US $24.95 |
 MEXICAN MODERNIST HEAVY CANDY DISH SIGNED ULTRA HEAVY US 8.00 |  Sanborns Mexican Srerling Vintage Gravy Ladle 1950 60s US $149.00 |
 MEXICAN SILVER MOTHER PEARL SALT PEPPER SHAKERS TRAY US .99 |  SUPERB MEXICAN STERLING SILVER NAPKIN RING SET 8 RINGS US $349.00 |
 Mexican Sterling Silver Repousse Bowl 20 ounces US $350.00 |
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20th Century Mexican Masters by Rufino Tamayo. Size 18.33 inches width by 18.27 inches height. High Quality Art Poster Print |
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20th Century Mexican Masters by Rufino Tamayo.Total Size : 23.00 inches width by 26.00 inches height.This is the Highest Quality Art Print Reproduction of the Original Work. Fully Authorized by the Artist... |
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The Archangel St. Michael by Mexican school. Size 10.79 inches width by 15.97 inches height. High Quality Art Poster Print |
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The Archangel St. Michael by Mexican school.Total Size : 14.88 inches width by 20.00 inches height.This is the Highest Quality Art Print Reproduction of the Original Work. Fully Authorized by the Artist... |
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Castas. a View of The Various Peoples of Mexico by Mexican school. Size 18.76 inches width by 22.01 inches height. High Quality Art Poster Print |
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Castas. a View of The Various Peoples of Mexico by Mexican school.Total Size : 22.75 inches width by 26.00 inches height.This is the Highest Quality Art Print Reproduction of the Original Work. Fully Authorized by the Artist... |
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Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin List Price: $12.98 Sale Price: $9.21 Used From: $23.09 |
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Scott Joplin: His Complete Works List Price: $18.98 Sale Price: $21.98 Used From: $11.93 |
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The Complete Rags of Scott Joplin List Price: $31.98 Sale Price: $18.99 Used From: $2.00 |
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This two-disc set is billed as Joplin's "complete rags," which isn't quite true--there are several more in William Albright's Joplin: Marches, Waltzes & Rags. But there are 34 rags in this set, most of them essential bits of Americana... |
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Mexican Flag Abalone German Silver Pistol Grips |
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Mexican Flag Abalone German Silver Pistol Grips.Pistol Grips are made of German Silver, or Alpaca. They are Silver and/or Gold plated. The Gold plate is 24k Gold. Some have color resin inlay or Abalone shell inlay... |
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Solid Pewter Sink |
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This elegant Mexican tin Sink measures approx. 18" long by 11" wide by 8" tall. Features blue trim around the bottom. Item is BRAND NEW. Sink is of superb quality. Item is shipped to you direct. Please ask questions if you need to. |
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Santo: Infraterrestre List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $2.23 Used From: $2.23 |
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El Santo the man in the silver mask in Infraterrestre! Kidnappings are taking place all over the city and the only one who knows the truth about is a young boy named Diego. The agency on National Security calls in their best man... |
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