980 Silver William Spratling Vindobonensis Bracelet

William Spratling Vindobonensis Bracelet Taxco 980 Silver | Mexican Modernist Pre-Columbian Cuff | Spratling Silver Museum Quality

This is an authentic William Spratling Vindobonensis bracelet, a quintessential example of the Taxco silver renaissance and a must-have for the serious collector of Mexican Modernist jewelry. Crafted during Spratling's First Design Period (circa 1940-1946), this heavy silver cuff features the iconic alternating link design of abstract "X" motifs and sculptural silver cabochons, evoking the ancient textures of pre-Columbian architecture .

Details & Measurements:

· Designer: William Spratling (The "Father of Contemporary Mexican Silver")
· Origin: Taxco, Mexico
· Period: First Design Period (c. 1940-1946)
· Metal: .980 Silver (Higher purity than standard Sterling)
· Style: Vindobonensis Link Bracelet
· Dimensions: Approx. 7.5" interior length x 1 1/8" width
· Weight: 86 grams
· Closure: Tube-and-pin closure with safety chain
· Markings: Stamped "SPRATLING," "MADE IN MEXICO," and ".980"
· Condition: Excellent vintage condition with warm patina commensurate with age.

About the Design:
The Vindobonensis pattern is one of Spratling's most celebrated abstractions of pre-Hispanic forms . The chunky, pierce-carved links are inspired by ancient Mexican stonework and textile patterns, meticulously hand-finished in heavy-gauge .980 silver—a purer, more luxurious standard than the .925 used by subsequent generations. This substantial weight and bold, tribal silhouette exemplify the rustic elegance that defines the golden age of Taxco design .

Why .980 Silver?
Spratling's workshop was renowned for using high-purity silver, often .980 or .940. This softer, brighter metal allows for a deeper, warmer patina over time and signifies a piece made during the peak of the Taxco silver movement, prior to the standardization of sterling .

Authenticity & Investment:
The piece is fully hallmarked with Spratling's definitive stamps, ensuring its place as an investment-grade artifact of mid-century design. It is documented in standard reference works such as Penny C. Morrill and Carole A. Berk's Mexican Silver: Modern Hand-Wrought Jewelry & Metalwork .

This is not merely a bracelet; it is a museum-quality piece of wearable art history from the man who put Taxco on the map. A profound addition to any collection featuring Hector Aguilar, Los Castillo, or Antonio Pineda.