Spratling - Silver Amethyst Pill Box Necklace

Description: William Spratling pill box necklace with double amethyst sides. The size of the box is 2in. x 1 3/4in. x 1 3/8th's in. With the weight being 136 grams the chain is thick to support this treasure and is 20in. long. It has a turtle back hook closure. The amethyst is a dark grape in color. You can see crystalline striations that occur naturally but none go all the way from the top to the bottom of the stone. There are no chips or cracks. You can see the underside of the stone when you open the box and can view the superb condition of the stones. Both stones feel smooth to the hand. These are very large and thick stones. The box has a tight closure and stays shut when worn. Please ask if you would like more pictures of the hallmark. It was very difficult to photograph and it has a smoosh on the bottom right of the outside circle. The rest is very clean and the sterling mark could not be more crisp as well as the WS. This signed Spratling necklace design is published in the book MEXICAN SILVER by Penny Morrill and Carole Berk. A very rare first phase Spratling treasure

Biography: William Spratling was born in 1900 in Sonyea, New York. In 1917 William Spratling attended Auburn University and a year or two later, during his stay at Auburn served as an instructor in architecture. Spratling moved to New Orleans in 1921 where he was an Associate Professor of Architecture at Tulane University.

Spratling visited Mexico for the first time in 1926. He returned for summers over the next several years, and in 1929, moved to Mexico. In 1931, Spratling hired an experienced goldsmith from Iguala who moved to Taxco and created silver jewelry of Spratling’s design. Other craftsmen joined Spratling’s shop and produced tin ware, copper items, textiles and furniture - all designed by Spratling.

Early in 1946, Spratling y Artesanos was out of business due to mismanagement by Spratling’s partners. Spratling left Taxco and moved to his ranch, never returning to Taxco to live. From then on, Spratling rebuilt his business and had silversmiths fabricating his jewelry and object designs at his ranch. His designs were also produced by the Conquistador Company in Mexico City for a couple of years.

William Spratling was killed on August 7, 1967 in an automobile accident just outside Taxco. Throughout Mexico he is acknowledged as "The Father of Mexican Silver."