Selling this at spot price for silver as of the start of the listing. Although it would be a shame to melt these down (I have been tempted), I know that silver is in a lull at the moment. I also know that it can bounce back in a matter of days. Be that as it may, with s 10% and Paypals cut, I realize I am taking a loss here...but is getting close to Christmas and maybe these will make someone\'s day.Original Listing:Beautiful Sterling Silver set of 6 goblets and 6 cordials created by the late Gerardo Lopez. They are in great condition with only a few minor scrapes and bruises which is to be expected from vintage silver(can be seen in the photos). In the photo of the three gentlemen, Gerardo is the one in the middle with William Spratling (the guy who pioneered Taxco Silver Art) and Antonio Castillo (another famous artist). These were created by one of the founding fathers of the modern Mexico silver revolution. The Goblets are approx. 6 7/8\" tall and the cup opening is 3 1/4\" wide. the base is 2 3/4\" wide. The Cordials are 4 1/2\" tall with an opening of 2 3/8\" and a base of 1 7/8\". All together, the cups weigh in at a whopping 61.79 Troy Ounces!
Please Read below...(pretty cool)
In the late 1920s, the highway from Mexico City finally reached Taxco and in 1926, William Spratling, a U.S. citizen and associate architecture professor from Tulane University arrived in Taxco to study Mexico and its culture. In 1929, he moved to Mexico and was welcomed into the influential artistic circles there.
In 1931 U.S. Ambassador, Dwight Morrow, commented to Mr. Spratling that Taxco had been the site of silver mines for centuries, but unfortunately had never been considered a location where jewelry and objects of silver were designed and made. This seemingly insignificant comment changed the course of Taxco\'s artistic and economic history.
Mr. Spratling discovered the potential talent in the locals and motivated the community artisans to create designs and rediscover the craft of silversmithing. With his own designs he created an apprentice system of training young silversmiths with artistic talent and gave them the opportunity to develop their skill. He brought in from Iguala a highly regarded goldsmith to teach the art of working precious metal. The great beauty and craftsmanship coming out of Taxco earned worldwide recognition and fame once again for Mexico.
William Spratling passed away in 1967 in a car accident just outside his beloved Taxco. Throughout Mexico Spratling is widely regarded as \"The Father of Mexican Silver.\" A silver bust of Mr. Spratling resides in the town\'s silver museum. The Spratling Museum behind the Santa Prisca Cathedral, houses the Spratling Collection of silver and pre-columbian figures that he left to the town of Taxco. Each November, during the last week of the month, Taxco honors its source of wealth and fame with the world famous Silver Fair (Feria Nacional de La Plata), when the craftsmen, artists and silversmiths show their work and a national prize is awarded to the best silver artist of the Fair.
Check out the last photo (Gerardo Lopez (middle) with William Spratling (right))
