Sterling Silver Matador Brooch

This detailed figural pin is extremely well-made and marked "Hecho en Mexico" (which means "Made in Mexico").  The artisan mark on this piece is "H.R.S.," more than likely the artist's initials, but I could not find the name of this particular designer in my research.  Sometimes Mexican jewelry is marked with the city in which it was made, often Taxco, but this piece is not.

Taxco, Mexico began receiving the benefits of its silver mines in 1929 when American born William Spratling moved to town.  Mr. Spratling was a professor of architecture at Tulane University in New Orleans, and decided to move to Taxco after visiting there several times.  He never planned on becoming a silversmith, but he wanted a job that would allow him to settle in Taxco.  He started a small silver shop called Las Delicias, and realized the local Taxco people could improve their standard of living (mostly extreme poverty) by producing silver items that could be sold.  He soon hired two recognized silversmiths to teach himself and others the trade.  The workshop and school created by Spratling is one reason Taxco is still recognized as the world capital of silver today. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on http://www.rubylane.com/ is coming soon.

Mexical Sterling Silver Jewelry. Retrieved 3/21/2011 from http://mexicansterlingsilverjewelry.com/spratling.html