Mexican Silver
January 24, 2010 by Dean
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.
 1930s Mexican sterling silver spoon rests roses Aztecs  US $64.99 |  5 SMALL STERLING MEXICAN FORKS US $4.99 |
 Vintage MEXICAN 925 STERLING SILVER EARRINGS US $9.95 |  6 Mexican Giles Sterling Ice Tea Zodiac Sipper Spoons US $49.99 |
 Pair of sterling silver salt and pepper shakers MEXICAN US $45.00 |  Silver Over Copper Mexican Bowl 9 x 11 Guadalajara US $120.00 |
 30s MEXICAN Sterling Silver Salt Pepper Shakers Signed US $22.00 |  HECTOR AGUILAR MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SALT CELLARS US $395.00 |
 Vintage Los Castillo Taxco Mexican Silver Vase W Lapis US $135.00 |  Antique Mexican Sterling Silver Shell Dish US $9.99 |
 Suave Mexican Silver Rickshaw Cigarette Box Sterling US $115.00 |  8 HEAVY MEXICAN VICTORIA STERLING STIRRERS SIPPERS US $220.00 |
 Vintage Sanborns Mexican Sterling Bowl 8 1 4 US $295.00 |  MEXICAN 189 Oz Sterling Silver MARLIN FISHING TROPHY US $395.00 |
 MEXICAN SERVING TRAY 325 TROY OZ MELT VALUE OPEN BID US $549.00 |  Mexican Sterling Silver 925 Locket Pillbox Elephant US $12.00 |
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 Two Substantial Mexican Sterling Silver Cordials 4 US $114.75 |  3 pieces MEXICAN ALPACA PESA FLATWARE silverplate US $29.95 |
 Mexican Genuine Sterling Silver Sugar Tongs US $69.99 |  RARE SOLID SILVER 1886 FRETWRK CARVED MEXICAN COIN FOB US $3.11 |
 OLD TAXCO MEXICAN SILVER STERLING ROSEWOOD SAUCE LADLE US $50.00 |  SIGNED MEXICAN STERLING SILVER MID CENTURY BOWL 397GRMS US $49.99 |
 Mexican Silver Carafe by Los Castillos Taxco 20C US $499.99 |  UNUSUAL MEXICAN STERLING SILVER COFFEE POT SIGNED US $1,050.00 |
 Unique 3pc Copper Sterling Mexican Victoria Tea Set US $500.00 |  MEXICAN DESIGNER STERLING WINE COASTER JAR US $258.00 |
 MEXICAN ARTIST LOS CASTILLO STERLING BOWL MUST SEE US $899.00 |  VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING MINIATURE PLATTER W FLOWERS US $8.50 |
 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER MINIATURE PLATTER SG US $12.28 |  VTG Mexican Sterling Carved Stone Cocktail Forks Spoons US $14.95 |
 Mexican Silver ID Spratling Rare$$ Sterling Jewelry US $44.99 |  Antique Mexican Sterling Silver 2075lb Tea Set US $5,950.00 |
 5 Mexican Sterling spoons US $1.04 |  Vintage Sterling Silver Mexican Drummer Charm Rare US $1.55 |
 Sterling Silver Mexican Pitcher US $399.99 |  F RAMIREZ MEXICAN STERLING SILVER DINNER BELL SIGNED US $75.00 |
 925 Mexican Sterling Silver Neck Sculpture Antique 60g US $98.50 |  Vintage HUGE Set Mexican Sterling Cocktail picks forks US $115.00 |
 SIGNED MEXICAN STERLING SILVER OVERLAY SCENT BOTTLE US $28.00 |  South American Mexican Hammered Sterling Art Deco Old US $49.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling and Glass Purse Perfume Bottle US $19.99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Ring Size Fit All US $35.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Corn Holders Alvarez US $125.00 |  STERLING SILVER MEXICAN SPOON N PICK FORK US $9.99 |
 Tijuana Mexico Sterling Souvenir Spoon Mexican Seal US $12.00 |  Empresa Plat Mex SA sterling ashtray Mexican US $85.00 |
 Lg Maciel Mexican Solid Sterling Salad Serving Set 340g US $66.00 |  SMALL MEXICAN STERLING SILVER OVERLAY PERFUME BOTTLE US $29.99 |
 VINTAGE SANBORNS MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SOMBRERO DISH US $24.99 |  OLD MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SALT DIP SPOON AZTEC EAGLE US $39.45 |
 VTG CONQUISTADOR TAXCO MEXICAN WROUGHT STERLING PLATTER US $185.00 |  VTG MEXICO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER ROSEWOOD SERVER BIG US $95.00 |
 Neat Mexican Sterling Mixed Metal Pill Box w Turquoise US $50.00 |  ANTIQUE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SOMBRERO HAT SOUVENIR US $19.99 |
 Mexican Sterling Silver Condiment Dish US $10.49 |  Rare Cast Silver Cactus Handle Spoon w Mexican Coin US $295.00 |
 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER MINI FIGURE NR US $.99 |  Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver Creamer Sugar US $380.00 |
 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER DECO SALAD UTENSIL SET US $149.99 |  SANBORNS MEXICAN STERLING SILVER LADLE 91 GRAMS US $34.99 |
 2 MID CENTURY MEXICAN STERLING SILVER NAPKIN RING TAXCO US $14.99 |  MEXICAN STERLING SILVER FLOWER BLOSSOM SALAD SERVERS US $195.00 |
 VINTAGE STERLING MEXICAN THEME COCKTAIL PICKS SET 20 US $99.99 |  MEXICAN STERLING OVERLAY MIXED METAL CHARGER VINTAGE US $49.99 |
 6 PIECE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER CORDIAL SET TRAY US $19.00 |  Los Castillo Parrot Bird Pitcher Mexican Silver Plate US $229.99 |
 Tiny Mexican Sterling Silver Overlay Scent Bottle US $27.99 |  HECTOR AGUILAR MEXICAN 940 SILVER SUGAR SPOON TAXCO US $92.00 |
 Vintage Sterling Silver Vermeil Tulip Flower Mexican US $499.99 |  2 ANTIQUE MACIEL MEXICAN STERLING SILVER TUMBLERS c1920 US $125.00 |
 2 CONQUISTADOR MEXICAN STERLING SILVER CANDLE HOLDERS US $1,000.00 |  SANBORN Mexican Sterling Modern S P Shakers US $60.00 |
 MEXICAN 6 AMETHYSTS STERLING SILVER DISH 3 GRIFFIN FEET US $365.00 |  Vintage Maciel Mexican Silver ashtray Tray 4482 2 57Gr US $95.00 |
 Vintage Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver TRAY DISH 925 US $89.00 |  Pr Heavy Hallmkd MEXICAN STERLING 5 Lite CANDELABRA US $1,499.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Silver Abalone TRAY Modernist US $24.00 |  Vintage Maciel Mexican Sterling Silver Tray Dish 925 US $89.00 |
 Vintage Maciel Mexican Coin Silver ashtray Tray 2 oz US $89.00 |  J Torres Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Candle Holder US $215.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Candle Holder 925 5oz US $165.00 |  TAXCO MEXICAN SILVER STERLING COCKTAIL FORKS 100 GRMS US $190.00 |
 PAIR MEXICAN CANDLESTICKS STERLING SILVER 1950 CLS US $880.00 |  8 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER AZTEC CALENDAR NUT DISHES US $149.00 |
 MEXICAN MODERNIST HEAVY CANDY DISH SIGNED ULTRA HEAVY US $998.00 |  Sanborns Mexican Srerling Vintage Gravy Ladle 1950 60s US $149.00 |
 MEXICAN MODERNISM STERLING DOUBLE CANDY DISH SIGNED CLS US $169.99 |  2 Mexican Silver Demitasse Spoons US $7.95 |
 Mexican 980 Sterling Napkin Ring with Amethysts US $175.00 |  Antique Pair Mexican Sterling Silver Pea Cocks Rooster US $2,800.00 |
 Antique 19th Century Mexican Sterling Spoon Fork Set US $195.00 |  Set 4 Vint 50s Sterling Mexican Taxco Cocktail Forks US $34.99 |
 VINT MEXICAN SILVER 925 MINIATURE TRINKET TRAY PLATE US $49.99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Bowl Ornate Rim 5 7 8 US $199.99 |
 SUPERB MEXICAN STERLING SILVER NAPKIN RING SET 8 RINGS US $349.00 |
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