Sterling Silver Alfredo Villasana Clamper Bracelet

Alfredo Villasana. Who is that? He was William Spratling’s chief silversmith and also worked for Hector Aguilar. Legend has it that one of Spratling’s requests when Villasana was leaving was that he not copy his designs. You’re probably thinking, “Well, he wouldn’t”. Well, actually, in the culture down in Taxco at that time -- and to this day in some regard -- it was quite common for up-and-coming silversmiths to create pieces not unlike the masters.

If you look at some of the pieces from the likes of Antonio Pineda and Hector Aguilar, you’ll find Spratling pieces that aren’t drastically unlike them. Pineda has an old AP hallmarked bracelet (AP was an early Pineda hallmark -- before the Crown) that uncannily resembles Spratling’s famous Vindobonensis bracelets. It wasn’t a big deal for the most part, but Spratling didn’t want Villasana copying because he worked hard on his designs, but also because Villasana was VERY good.

Anyway, Villasana wasn’t as prolific as other ex-Spratling employees (Aguilar and Pineda for example). However, his rare and exquisite pieces are a gold standard for art in the medium. He’s a silversmith first, so the attention to detail is superb. You see something similar with Pineda in his Eagle 17 pieces. It’s just really great work.

So what’s the story with this clamper cuff? Well, the pattern comes in two configurations that I know of. I have both. This one is taller than the other one, but they both contain the same amount of sterling silver and detailed work. And if you’ve read any other writings I’ve done on clamper cuffs, you’ll know that I firmly believe they’re an important part of any collection. Why? Because they elevate your outfit. They make anything look like a million bucks without being “stuffy”. And the patina on this one ensures that it isn’t stuffy. You can always clean it, but instead, I recommend getting the other one that has been cleaned already. A patina makes for a piece with some awesome details making it unique amongst its peers. I do provide a lint free cloth with every purchase, but I’d just use it on silverware or something. That perfectly aged patina is too gorgeous to remove.

Anyway, it’s a lovely piece and you should treat yourself. Treating yourself is a great way to let yourself know you value yourself. If you value yourself you’d be following in the footsteps of Alfredo Villasana. He believed he was good enough to go it alone. And he was. He’s now up there with the masters of silversmithing in Taxco, Mexico. Treat yourself and become the master of insurance claims in Poughkeepsie, New York? I’m not sure. I don’t know where I’m going with this. I’m just saying that you deserve nice things. And when you recognize it you behave like it. Treat yourself.