Non Western Blog: The 20th Century Silversmiths of Mexico

In the 1530s, the Spanish began mining silver in Mexico.  The town of Taxco in the state of Guerro was one of the earliest mined areas and also taken advantage of during colonial times.  Taxco had become Spain’s primary source for silver.  Prior to the Spaniards arrival the people of this area had developed the skills and technique to create elaborate silver items, mostly jewelry.  However, silversmiths had mostly vanished by the start of the 20^th century.  One of the reasons attributed to the decline is Mexico’s War for Independence in the 19^th century.  The Spaniards destroyed the silver mines rather than letting them go to the revolutionaries, causing the art to die out.  

An American, of all people, is credited with revitalizing the art of silversmiths in Mexico.  Willam Spratling was a professor from Tulane University who studied Mexican culture in Taxco.  He studied there for three summers before moving to Taxco permanently in 1929 and opening a shop that showcased local artists.  The artwork included copper, furniture, tin ware, weavings and silver items.  Silver was the most popular among his patrons.   

Recognizing the demand for silver, Spratling created an apprenticeship to train locals to become silversmiths.  The three artists highlighted below all trained with Spratling.  The program was very successful, and he started a company called Taller de las Delicias.  The company became very successful, however Spratling eventually resigned in 1945 when there was a disagreement with his investors.  He then went to work on his own art.

Now this is where it gets interesting.  I had no idea there was a tie between Spratling and Alaska.  The US Department of the Interior had become aware of Spratling’s success in training people in their local form of art as silversmiths.  So, the Department of Interior asked Spratling to create a similar program to train Alaskan students based on traditional Native designs using indigenous materials.  Seven Alaskan students were trained by Spratling at his ranch and later returned to Alaska.  The program didn’t last long because of funding. 

 

 

Antonio Pineda (1919-2009) was an internationally known Mexican modernist silversmith from Taxco.  Pineda, at only 11 years of age, had participated in Spratling’s apprenticeship program.  He later went and apprenticed with a second artisan in Mexico City.  He was widely known for his stunning jewelry designs and use of gemstones.   His work was exhibited in Chicago, Paris, London, Rome, Amsterdam and Mexico City.  It was also sold at Gump’s Department Store.  Pineda later developed other partnerships with retailers that sold his jewelry in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. 

Pineda’s work is beautiful.  The design is very intricate with incredible attention to detail.  The clasp and hinge on this piece are functional but do not interfere with the beauty of the piece but become part of the jewelry.

 

Hector Aguilar (1905-1986) was another metalsmith that apprenticed under William Spratling.  By the time Aguilar was 30 he was the top shop manager for William Spratling.  Aguilar was inspired by Aztec and Mextex art.  Not only was Aguilar artistic, but he also had a business sense.  During World War II there were wartime shortages in the United States.  This prompted Aguilar to negotiate a contract with Coro, an American costume jewelry company, to produce silver jewelry.  After the war, Aguilar opened Taller Borda, a premier silver outlet in Taxco.  His company produced fine silver jewelry, holloware and flatware. 

I selected this sterling link bracelet to highlight.  I think that this piece shows the Aztec influence in Aguilar’s work.  The shapes of the links and design have a geometric feel and the design is intricate. 

 

Ana Maria Nunez Brilanti (1910-1999) was one of the first prominent female silversmiths from the 40’s.  Brilanti started displaying her artistic ability at a very young age despite the resistance from her mother to let her explore her interest in art.  Brilanti was sent away to boarding school at the age of 10.  By the time she was 14 she had completed her education and had become a teacher and helped contribute financially to the family.  

Brilanti did not give up her passion for art.  In the 1930’s Brilanti and her husband moved to Taxco for her husband’s job.  It is here that she met Spratling.  Spratling was walking along the street and saw Brilanti on the front porch.  He noticed the beautifully carved front door and inquired as to who had carved it.  Brilanti said that she had designed and carved the door.  She then went on to show Spratling some of her other work.  Spratling invited Brilanti to his apprenticeship program.  By 1940 she had become an accomplished silversmith and left Spratling to open her own silver store in Taxco.

Brlianti is known for a distinct pattern she used in her pieces called angel cut design or double angel design.  This is referring to the hollow cut figures in her pieces such as the one displayed above.  This necklace is very elegant.  It’s intricate but not ornate.  The way the necklace lays flush against the neck is really appealing to me.  The shapes in the necklace give it a fluid feel. This is my favorite piece from this blog.

I looked at many pieces of jewelry created by the three artists highlighted above.  I would love to own a piece of jewelry created by any one of them.   The craftsmanship and artistic ability to create such pieces is incredible.

Works Cited

23, Maria Carteño says:              September, et al. “Taxco, the Center of Silversmiths and Silver Working in Mexico.” https://geo-mexico.com/?p=9693. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

B, Giorgio. The World of Mexican Silver Salts: An Article for Ascas - Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver Website, www.ascasonline.org/articolodicem90.html. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

“Antonio Pineda Dies at 90; Mexican Modernist Silversmith.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2009, www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-me-antonio-pineda20-2009dec20-story.html.

“Hector Aguilar - Designer Biography and Price History on 1stdibs.” Designer Biography and Price History on 1stDibs | Silver Aguilar, Hector Aguilar Jewelry, Sterling Aguilar, www.1stdibs.com/creators/hector-aguilar/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

Hector Aguilar Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Hector Aguilar Art Value Price Guide, www.invaluable.com/artist/aguilar-hector-4hbr2uxljj/sold-at-auction-prices/?page=10. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

“Todos Santos Eco Adventures.” TOSEA, tosea.net/the-saints-of-todos-santos-the-brilanti-family/. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.