Butaque Chair by William Spratling

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Butaque Chair by William Spratling

About the Item

There is no more vernacular a chair of Mexico than ‘la butaque,’ which instantly conjures up images of scenes at the hacienda. The flowing line to which leather is usually tacked has such a clean line that it has been reinterpreted by both Luis Barragan and Clara Porset into superlative examples of modernism. Made of solid sabino wood with the original leather this is a signed rare original of stately proportions and expert joinery by William Spratling. William Spratling, (1900-1967) was an architect, teacher, illustrator, author and designer who emigrated to Mexico from the States in the late 1920s and is credited with the revival and Renaissance of silversmithing in the town of Taxco. Spratling started with one silversmith (Navarrete) who executed his designs, and initiatied the industry on the model of apprenticeship. From there it grew from a couple of ‘maestros’ and a few students in 1931 into a thriving commerce which had, by 1940, over 400 artisans. It was in this decade that Taxco became known as the center of the Mexican silver industry, with Spratling as its father and his multifaceted production was exported to many countries. An extremely prolific and gifted designer, Spratling was deeply influenced by the iconography of ancient Mexico, as was adeptly reflected in his designs in silver, hollow ware, tin, copper and furniture. In 1965, Spratling was honored by the Mexican and North American Institute for Cultural Relations in Mexico City for his contributions to Taxco and to Mexico as a whole. Awarded the title of “Hijo Predilecto” (Favorite Son) by the city of Taxco, Taxco today is home to hundreds of silversmiths.

Creator:
William Spratling (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 38.75 in (98.43 cm)Width: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Depth: 31 in (78.74 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Leather,Wood
Place of Origin:
Mexico
Period:
1940-1949
Date of Manufacture:
1940s
Condition:
Natural wear of the leather. Wood will be re-waxed before delivery.
Seller Location:
Mexico City, MX
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU91342266632