Spratling Star Signed Pin Pendant

A vintage, circa 1940s signed sterling silver bracelet by William Spratling. This design is called Feather of Quetzalcoatl. According to "Spratling Silver: A Field Guide", by Phyllis Goddard, this bracelet was designed during William Spratling's first design period, 1931-1946. But first things first, who is Quetzalcoatl? According to this Wikipedia article, "The name Quetzalcoatl comes from the Nahuatl language and means "Precious serpent" or "Quetzal-feathered Serpent". In the 17th century, Ixtlilxóchitl, a descendant of Aztec royalty and historian of the Nahua people, wrote, "Quetzalcoatl, in its literal sense, means 'serpent of precious feathers' but in the allegorical sense, 'wisest of men'."" Ah! So that must be why Spratling called this design 'Feather of Quetzalcoatl! But hang on there, how did Spratling come to learn about Quetzalcoatl? Well according to the website Elisa Rolle, "When lecturing at the National University of Mexico's Summer School in 1926-1928, Spratling quickly integrated himself into the Mexican art scene and became a friend and a strong proponent of the work of muralist Diego Rivera, for whom he organized an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Using money received from commissions he organized for Rivera, Spratling bought a home in Taxco, Mexico in 1928, where he began work on a book, Little Mexico, about this small mountain town. Spratling was gay, but most accounts of his life mention this only indirectly if at all. Spratling amassed a large collection of Pre-Columbian figurines...

Rare sterling silver punch ladle. Made by Spratling in Taxco, Mexico. Round hand-hammered bowl with curved spout. Mount has tooled bands and applied rope ban...

Amazing Wiliam Spratling Dominoes set made of ebony wood and silver inlay. William Spratling (September 22, 1900–August 7, 1967) was an Americ...

Amazing Wiliam Spratling Style Dominoes set made of tropical wood and silver inlay.     

A lovely set of coffee service consisting of a large coffee pot, a sugar and a creamer (this set is of the largest size of this particular model we have seen so far). Made from sterl...

Modern sterling silver coffee and tea set. Made by Spratling in Taxco. Each: Ovoid body and stained-wood scroll handle and flat cover with tooled finial in form of seated jaguar– an ...