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.
 Los Castillo Parrot Bird Pitcher Mexican Silver Plate  US $229.99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Deer Pin Brooch US $8.88 |
 LARGE HEAVY OLD SIGNED MEXICAN SILVER SERVING TRAY US $895.00 |  MEXICAN ARTS CRAFTS STERLING FLOWER POT Villasana US $99.00 |
 Antique Sterling Silver Mexican Perfume Bottle w Dabber US $9.95 |  VINTAGE MINIATURE STERL SILVER MEXICAN SALT PEPPERS US $54.99 |
 4 Mexican TALL GLASSES Overlay STERLING Silver 88 Oz US $26.00 |  LRG Vintage Mexican Silver Sterling SANBORN Heavy Ladle US $349.00 |
 6 VINTAGE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER HORS dOEUVRE FORKS US $29.95 |  SACodan Mexican Sterling Silver Art Deco Candelabra US $299.99 |
 6 Mexican Sterling Jade Aztec Calendar Spoons 59g Texco US $24.99 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver servant dinner bell US $41.00 |
 925 Mexican Sterling Silver Neck Sculpture Antique 60g US $74.99 |  VINTAGE MEXICAN SILVER PICKLE FORK WITH FEMALE FIGURE US $4.99 |
 SET 8 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER ICED TEA SPOONS SIPPERS US $39.95 |  Pair of Signed Mexican Sterling 925 Candlestick Holders US $99.99 |
 EMPRESA PLAT MEXICAN STERLING SILVER FRAME US $65.00 |  MEXICAN 6 AMETHYSTS STERLING SILVER DISH 3 GRIFFIN FEET US $365.00 |
 8 Glass Beakers Tumblers w Mexican Silver Holders US $229.99 |  Vintage Maciel Mexican Silver ashtray Tray 4482 2 57Gr US $59.00 |
 Vintage Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver TRAY DISH 925 US $69.00 |  Pr Heavy Hallmkd MEXICAN STERLING 5 Lite CANDELABRA US $1,499.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Silver Abalone TRAY Modernist US $24.00 |  Antique MEXICAN930 Sterling SILVER BRACELETGreen Ston US $66.00 |
 Vintage Maciel Mexican Coin Silver ashtray Tray 2 oz US $49.00 |  Vintage Maciel Mexican Sterling Silver Tray Dish 925 US $59.00 |
 SIGNED FM MEXICAN STERLING GARNETS BUTTERFLY EARRINGS US $39.99 |  TAXCO MEXICAN SILVER STERLING COCKTAIL FORKS 100 GRMS US $190.00 |
 Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Candle Holder 925 5oz US $159.00 |  J Torres Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Candle Holder US $174.00 |
 PAIR MEXICAN CANDLESTICKS STERLING SILVER 1950 CLS US $880.00 |  8 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER AZTEC CALENDAR NUT DISHES US $149.00 |
 Mexican Silver ID Spratling Rare$$ Sterling Jewelry US $44.99 |  VTG Mexican Sterling Silver Serving Fork F Ramerez NR US $21.71 |
 F Ramirez Mexican Sterling Silver Modernist Gravy Ladle US $13.52 |  Collectable Mexican STG Silver Snuff Pill Trinket Box US $36.57 |
 MEXICAN MODERNIST HEAVY CANDY DISH SIGNED ULTRA HEAVY US $998.00 |  Vintage Mexican Sterling Etched ACE Money Clip STUNNING US $19.99 |
 TAXCO MEXICO Mexican Sterling Silver Salad Fork Spoon US $69.99 |  Vintage Pachuca Mexico Mexican Sterling Silver Pillbox US $34.99 |
 Sanborns Mexican Srerling Vintage Gravy Ladle 1950 60s US $149.00 |  2 Mexican Silver Demitasse Spoons US $7.95 |
 Candy Bowl Sterling Silver 925 Mexican made 65 x 4 US $40.00 |  Mexican Sterling silver condiment fork Tasco US $225.00 |
 MEXICO MEXICAN SOLID SILVER RING 4 STONES 3 BANDS US $1.53 |  2 Antique Mexican Sterling Silver Pheasants Pea Cocks US $2,800.00 |
 Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver Creamer Sugar US $380.00 |  Antique 19th Century Mexican Sterling Spoon Fork Set US $195.00 |
 Set 6 Mexican Sterling Swizzle Sticks Straws Victoria US $99.99 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Petal Bowl Plateria Alameda US $249.99 |
 Set 4 Vint 50s Sterling Mexican Taxco Cocktail Forks US $31.49 |  19th c Mexican Sterling Silver ornate serving bowl OM US $399.99 |
 VINT MEXICAN SILVER 925 MINIATURE TRINKET TRAY PLATE US $49.99 |  30s SPRATLING Mexican Silver Shot Jigger VTG Barware US $149.00 |
 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 |
 SANBORNS MEXICAN STERLING GRAPE CLUSTER SALAD SERVERS US $250.00 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Centre Bowl Tane US $76.00 |
 Vintage Silver Mexican Coin Bracelet 1958 1967 US $2.34 |  Vintage Silver Mexican Coin Bracelet 1920 1943 US $.99 |
 Mexican Sterling Tray Dish Signed C Zurita 113 Ounces US $149.99 |  Monument Mexican Independence sterling silver spoon old US $19.99 |
 Los Ballesteros 1940s Mexican Silver 3 PICTURE FRAME US $39.99 |  William Spratling Vintage Mexican Sterling Silver Bowl US $1,200.00 |
 925 sterling TAXCo Mexican letter opener resin handle US $80.00 |  OLD MEXICAN STERLING SET TEA DEMITASSE SPOON STRAWS US $8.49 |
 Antique MACIEL Mexican Sterling Silver Glass Decanter US $195.00 |  Damaso Gallegos Mexican Taxco Sterling Silver Salt US $275.00 |
 MEXICAN STERLING WOOD GRAVY LADLE US $39.99 |  Very Fine Montenegro Mexican Sterling Sombrero Dish US $49.99 |
 Mexican Sterling Silver Jensen Style Bowl G Nava US $22.20 |  VIGUERAS MEXICAN STERLING SILVER GLASS INSERTS SET OF 6 US $156.00 |
 Book Mexican Colonial Silver Silversmiths US $75.00 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Tray 4 Cordials 92 Grams Scrap US $32.00 |
 Mexican 925 Sterling Silver Maciel Demitasse Dish Tray US $59.95 |  Book BEST on Mexican 20th Century Silver Jewlery Marks US $24.95 |
 MODEL OF AN ELEPHANT IN STERLING SILVER MEXICAN C1930 US $1,050.00 |  STERLING SILVER ANTIQUE MEXICAN CUFFLINKS US $55.00 |
 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER PICTURE FRAME HEART REPOUSSE US $39.99 |  large 925 mexican sterling silver NHS fink etc brooch US $7.70 |
 Mexican Sterling Silver Geo III Form Goblets 3 Signed US $11.50 |  Mexican Silver Perfume Funnel Hecho En Mexico JMA US $24.95 |
 ANTIQUE MEXICAN STERLING SILVER IMPERIAL BELT BUCKLE US $44.99 |  SET 6 OLD MEXICAN STERLING SILVER ICED TEA SPOONS US $29.99 |
 Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver Sombrero Salt Pepper US $60.00 |  Set 6 Mexican sterling figural COCKTAIL PICKS US $24.95 |
 Superb VTG Signed Mexican Sterling Silver Repousse Bowl US $69.99 |  SET of 6 MEXICAN STERLING SILVER Salt Cellars 140g US $39.99 |
 Old Mexican Sterling Silver Tray 58 oz Handles Eagle US $99.99 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Tea Set Tane US $41.00 |
 OLD MEXICO TAXCO MEXICAN STERLING SILVER SEWING THIMBLE US $32.00 |  Antique MEXICAN Silver Bracelet Earrings Tested 925 US $50.00 |
 Sanborns Mexican Silver sterling Tray circa 1950s US $195.00 |  Mexican Sterling Silver Geo III Form Wine Cooler Tane US $315.00 |
 Mexican Sterling Silver Bowl US $285.00 |  Spratling Mexican sterling salad serving set No mono US $750.00 |
 Sanborns Mexican Sterling Silver Meat Platter US $1,800.00 |  PITCHER STERLING ART DECO MEXICAN BY MB 36 OUNCES US $990.00 |
 SILENT BUTLER STERLING BY MEXICAN CO JUAREZ 20 OUNCES US $800.00 |
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Spike Large Silver Collar Sale Price: $23.95  |
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* "Canine couture at its finest..ensuring unprecedented visibility" (O List) Collar is 1 1/2" wide- not recommended for small dogs * Uses two AAA batteries (not included, but can be added) and lasts for 350 hours * Most inexpensive collar to own -no need to replace expensive batteries * Features bright BLINKING lights & reflective strips to afford unrivaled visibility from up to 1/2 mile away from 360 degrees * The lifetime cost of a Spike brand collar is much lower than the other collars because the batteries (AAA) last longer & ARE CHEAPER * The collars are a bit wide for small dogs but are made of a lightweight material so they aren't bulky * The buckle is really well-made and stays closed and safe * The collar is reflective, so if you don't turn it on, your dog will still be seen * The blinking lights are blue in all of the collars |
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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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Advantage Westerly Self Rimming Laundry Sink Finish: Mexican Sand, Faucet Drillings: Two Holes Sale Price: $157.80 |
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12207 Finish: Mexican Sand, Faucet Drillings: Two Holes Shown in white with three faucet drillings; faucet not included Features: -Single bowl self rimming laundry sink with washboard. -Advantage Series collection... |
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