These are
reproductions of original images
on the wall in Don Marcial Chavez' silver jewelry workshop
from the time of the great Northamerican designer William Spratling
whose tremendous contribution to the Taxco silver jewelry industry
has been amply recognized and honored by the Mexican people.
**As early as the l920's, lively interest in humble Mexican folk artistry developed in the United States in artistic and intellectual circles
along with an appreciation for emerging Mexican artists, such as the mural painters Diego Riviera and
José Orosco,
who were then working on an urbane and international level.
Mexican silver jewelry,
with its impressive craftsmanship,
imagination, and exoticism, offered North Americans an opportunity
to purchase on a small scale an authentic work of art that shared its roots
with major movements in contemporary intellectual tastes.
** Within Mexico, artist colonies arose which produced
enormously influential silver jewelry from the 1930's through the 1950's.
The names associated with this movement--William Spratling and Margot de Taxco among many others --are revered by collectors today;
glossy books document their jewelry masterpieces. **
** these are very well phrased brief descriptions of
William Spratling's influence
we written by someone, we don't know who, since we found them copied into our notes.
The author is invited to come forward for our thanks, and to receive credit.
FAIR TRADE ETHICAL JEWELRY
Marcial Chavez Embriz, the last of the Spratling silversmiths
Marcial Chavez Embriz in the 1940s.
The signed photograph of Spratling is inscribed:
"To my powerful collaborator Marcial Chavez"
Spratling's shop "La Florida" in Taxco.
Party at Spratling's Ranch
Marcial Chavez Embríz has received many prestigious honors and awards
for his important role in the silversmithing tradition of Taxco.
The work table of Marcial Chavez Embriz today. His shop.
Marcial Chavez Embriz was William Spratling's original-model maker.
Reproduction of original Spratling pieces
by Spratling's master model maker, Marcial Chavez Embriz.
Artesanas Campesinas is an artisan group
]
from the traditional handcrafts producer village of Tecalpulco.
Ethical Fair Trade Jewelry Workshop
Maria Nieves and Raquel, two women from artisan families in Tecalpulco,
the apprentices of Marcial Chavez. You are welcome to continue to learn
about the way
this project developed, where you will be introduced
to these two young village women.
FAIR TRADE ETHICAL JEWLERY