From Antique Jewelry University
William Spratling was born in 1900 in Sonyea, New York. In his early career he taught Architecture at Auburn and was an Associate Professor of Architecture at Tulane. Spratling moved to Mexico in 1929 and quickly became a member of the arts community. He began promoting Mexican art in the United States and was responsible for the exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum in New York featuring Diego Rivera.
For his role in persuading Diego Rivera create frescos to Cortes Palace in Cuernavaca, Spratling was given a $2000 reward. He took that money and invested it in a house in Taxco, near the silver mining region of Mexico. A comment by the Ambassador to Mexico, Dwight Morrow, to the effect that it was a shame that the silver in Taxco had never really been used locally, sparked Spratling to create workshop in Taxco making many types of goods, including jewelry. His early jewelry designs contained Pre-Columbian motifs and other simple designs.
Enthusiasm for Spratling's wares sparked tourism in Taxco. It was at this time that he also began selling his goods in the United States. An apprenticeship system was established and promising workers were trained through this system. Many of these artisans went on to open their own shops in the now thriving artisan community of Taxco. During World War II, when luxury goods were no longer available from Europe, a thriving business providing these goods to American department stores ensued.
In 1949 Spratling was involved in a failed collaboration between the American Government and Alaskian artisans to develop native crafts in Alaska. His time in Alaska had a lasting impact on Spratling's jewelry designs.
Known throughout Mexico as the "Father of Mexican Silver," Spratling put Taxco on the map. He continued his architectural pursuits while his jewelry business thrived. Spratling died in 1967. His estate and designs were purchased by Alberto Ulrich and continued to be produced under the name "Sucesores de William Spratling S.A.