Mexican Silver
January 24, 2010 by Thomas Howard
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.
 Mexican Sterling Coffee Set by Gonzalo Moreno  US $2,199.00 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Fish Brooch multi metal decoration retro US $47.38 |
 Mexican Silver Jelly Jar Alpaca US $19.95 |  FSanchez Marked Mexican Sterling Silver Bowl with Handle Porriger Mexico US $25.00 |
 Circa 1940s pre eagle hallmark Mexican Sterling Silver J Viqueras tea set US $1,525.00 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Salad Spoon and Fork Set Signed JS Taxco US $29.99 |
 Antique Mexican Sterling Silver Turtle Pin Green Onyx Head VERY OLD Fantastic US $24.50 |  Vintage Mexican Alpaca Silver and Abalone Mayan Calendar Wall Plate US $250.00 |
 Antique BIG Sterling Silver 925 Mexico Mexican Sombrero Hat 577 gms NR US $43.00 |  Vintage Mexican Brass Candlholder US $40.00 |
 Taxco Mexican Sterling Silver Iced Tea Sipper Spoons US $249.00 |  BEAUTIFUL 1940s MEXICAN STERLING SILVER CANDLE SNUFFER US $64.99 |
 1940s Mexican Sterling Wood Handled Cake Pastry Server US $89.99 |  Sterling Enamel Demitasse Souvenir Spoon Wavy Handled Mexico Mexican Flag US $49.99 |
 Shepard Ring of Roses Enamel Sterling Souvenir Spoon Mexican Flag US $69.00 |  Estate Mexican Alpaca Silverplated Mayan God Tray Decorated With Mother of Pearl US $9.99 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Baby Rattles 925 325 US $84.99 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Bowl US $495.00 |
 VINTAGE TANE MEXICAN MEXICO SILVER STERLING TEA STRAINER WOODEN HANDLE 14629 US $225.00 |  Old Vintage Taxco Mexican Sterling Silver Repousse Trinket Snuff Box Signed US $49.99 |
 Elegant Small Hand Held Vintage Mexican Silver Vintage Ashtray circa 1950s RARE US $10.50 |  MEXICAN STERLING SILVER FLOWER FORM OPEN SALT CELLAR DISH 1920 1940 US $19.99 |
 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BLACK ONYX MAYAN AZTEC FACE BROOCH OR PIN US $24.99 |  Lovely Mexican Spanish Colonial Footed Salt Dish w Bird Handle US $34.99 |
 Heavy 90 GRAMS Mexican Sterling Twisted Cuff Bracelet Acid tested wear scrap US $47.11 |  Mexican married metals sterling silver and copper salad servers gorgeous US $1,199.99 |
 BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE MEXICAN 925 SILVER W ONIX BRAC EAR US $80.00 |  Pair of Mexican Coin Silver Shell Dishes w Conch Shell Feet 2 US $35.00 |
 SANBORNS MONEY CLIP STERLING DOLLAR SIGN MEXICAN COIN 925 SIGNED NR 34g MINT US $9.99 |  El Tesoro mexican childs plate 900 silver stork butterfly and floral motif US $16.76 |
 VTG MEXICAN SOLID STERLING 925 SILVER FOOTED BOWL 10 oz C1950 PLATERIA US $479.99 |  VINTAGE STERLING SILVER MEXICAN CIGARETTE HOLDER ASH TRAY US $37.50 |
 SWEET MEXICAN STERLING SILVER JULEP STRAWS A PAIR TAXCO UXMAL US $9.95 |  LOVELY MEXICAN STERLING SILVER CASE ON LEGS PIANO SHAPE US $265.00 |
 SPRATLING Mexican SILVER 1930s Dessert Server sterling US $700.00 |  Modernist Mexican 950 Sterling Silver Chalice Paten US $3,000.00 |
 BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE HAND CRAFTED MEXICAN SILVER PLATE DECORATIVE OVAL TRAY US $143.50 |  Mexican Art Sterling Silver Overlay Decanter Grapevine Pattern US $39.99 |
 Early Mexican Sterling Silver Cigar Box Lazcano c1910 Quinto Real Eagle Heavy US $88.00 |  MEXICAN 20th CENTURY JEWELRY SILVER MARKS BEST GUIDE US $24.95 |
 Set of Three Etched Sterling Silver Mexican Shot Glasses US $95.00 |  Mexican 950 Sterling Silver Sauce Boat 158 grams US $325.00 |
 Mexican Blossom Pattern Salad Set Maker GPR US $495.00 |  Mexican Overlay Sterling Silver Hand Engraved Scent Bottle No Monos Ex Con US $6.50 |
 MEXICAN STERLING SOMBRERO BY MACIEL US $31.00 |  Mexican Sterling Overlay Salt Pepper Shakers Signed GRR Hecho en Mexico US $24.95 |
 2 Fred Davis Mexican Sterling Silver Small Dishes Nut Dish US $200.00 |  5 piece Mexican JUAREZ solid 950 Sterling Silver tea set Scrap repair US $1,336.00 |
 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SAUCER WITH BIRD DESIGN 4 DIAMETER US $75.99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Marked 925 Hecho en Mexico Rosewood handle US $49.98 |
 VINTAGE 800 SILVER MEXICAN DEITY SPOON US $15.78 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Footed Ornately Hand Chased Salt Cellars No Mono Ex Con US $22.50 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Sandborns Modernism Open Work Ladle 1950s US $199.99 |  SIGNED MEXICAN STERLING GRAPE BROOCH PIN EARRINGS US $49.99 |
 Vintage Signed Juventino Lopez Reyes Mexican Sterling Silver Box US $199.00 |  Sterling Ashtray with Mexican 1943 Peso Coin US $49.99 |
 Beautiful Mexican Sterling Silver 22 Concho Belt 1950s US $20.49 |  Sanborns Mexico Sterling Silver Tomato Mellon Form Shaker Salt Pepper Mexican US $75.00 |
 3 Antique Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Cocktail Glasses Hector Aguilar PRETTY US $9.99 |  PG Sterling Mexican Sterling Silver Tea Set US $2,100.00 |
 Antique Original Mexican Mayan Aztec Sterling Silver Compact and Perfume Bottle US $209.99 |  VINTAGE OLD TAXCO SALT DISH DIP MEXICAN SILVER STERLING PETAL BASE SIGNED 15111 US $50.00 |
 Set of 6 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Iced Drink Sipper Straws Spoons Leaf US $34.99 |  Sterling Ashtray with Mexican 1948 Peso Coin US $29.99 |
 VINTAGE SIGNED MACIEL STERLING SILVER MEXICAN SOMBRERO HAT FIGURINE EAGLE MARK US $250.00 |  8 ANTIQUE SILVER NAVAJO 1878 COIN BUTTONS MEXICAN US $661.15 |
 Set of 4 Mexican Sterling Leaf Motif Iced Tea Spoons Sipper Straws US $85.00 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Fleur de Lis Demitasse Spoons Signed Set of 6 US $160.00 |
 VINTAGE STERLING SILVER 101 GRMS OF SCRAP LOT NO RESERVE HEAVY MEXICAN BRACELET US $46.00 |  Beautiful Rare Talavera Mexican Silver and Ceramic Candelabras candlesticks US $14,999.00 |
 Mexican Sterling Wood Handled Pastry Server US $105.00 |  Cancun Alpaca Mexico Mexican Indian Head Finial Collectible Souvenir Spoon US $9.99 |
 Set of 4 MEXICAN Sterling Salt Dishes w Spoons US $89.99 |  Mexican TAXCO 925 Sterling Silver Letter opener US $69.00 |
 Sterling Silver Letter opener Mexican TAXCO 925 US $69.00 |  Vintage Mexico Sterling Silver Spoon Aztec Calendar Mexican US $27.45 |
 SIGNED FM MEXICAN STERLING GARNETS BUTTERFLY EARRINGS US $50.00 |  VINTAGE TAXCO OLD MARKS MEXICAN STERLING SILVER PERFUME FILLER FOR CHARM PENDANT US $75.00 |
 vintage Mexican sterling silver pair great candelabra candle holders US $1,250.00 |  MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BOX WITH AMETHYST STONE ATTACHED TO LID AYB US $29.95 |
 MEXICAN STERLING DONKEY SHAPE TOOTH PICK HOLDER TAXCO OCM US $19.95 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Articulated Fish Sculpture Maker Marked KD US $125.00 |
 Fine Mexican Sterling Silver Handled Cup Mug Goblet Ca 1900 US $550.00 |  HOLMES EDWARDS 4 KNIVES FORKS MEXICAN SILVER 67 US $300.00 |
 RARE Sterling Silver MEXICAN Silversmith BERNICE GOODSPEED Demitasse Spoons NM US $85.00 |  MEXICAN STERLING SILVER BON BON DISHES SALT PEPPER SET HANDCRAFTED WORKMANSHIP US $99.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Eagle Souvenir Spoon Mexico US $19.99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Aztec Warrior Cocktail Fork US $18.29 |
 MEXICAN STERLING DEMI SPOON PLAT MEX SA N R US $10.99 |  Pair of 2 Sterling Silver Mexican Salt Pepper Shakers US $145.00 |
 MEXICAN SILVER Hector Aguilar and the Taller Borda 20th Century Arts Crafts US $49.95 |  VINTAGE ART DECO MEXICAN SILVERPLATE SUGAR CREAMER 304 US $75.00 |
 Mexican Coin Silver Shell Dish with Conch Shell Feet Unique US $95.00 |  SPRATLING OLD TAXCO MEXICAN SILVER STERLING SALT DISH US $150.00 |
 MEXICAN STERLING PIERCED NAPKIN RING US $34.99 |  Pair AMA Mexican 190 OZ Sterling Silver 5 Branch Candleabras RARE US $15,000.00 |
 Sterling Silver Mexican Vase US $145.00 |  MODERN MEXICAN BULL SOLID 925 STERLING SILVER SCUPTURE US $8,500.00 |
 Mexican Silver Taxco 950 Sterling Isidro Garcia Pina Maricela Cyclone Brooch Pin US $95.00 |  VINTAGE 850 MEXICAN SILVER SPOON AZTEC SUN GOD MEXICO US $28.00 |
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NTSC Version playable on Your DVD |
