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This is when the innovative and talented American artist William Spratling entered Taxco’s society circles, envisioning the town as more than merely a tourist stop. He saw it as a jewelry capital and founded his Taller de Delicias (Workshop of Delights) to create handcrafted works of art. Skillfully merging modern design with traditional and pre-Columbian motifs, his silver jewelry caused widespread excitement and interest among the tourists flocking into the ever more famous Taxco. As his popularity grew, he expanded, starting an apprenticeship program. He won himself the title “Father of Contemporary Mexican Silver” and established a model for the artistic development and growth of the silver industry in Taxco, spreading his influence across the nation.
Other talented and enthusiastic designers followed his footsteps, dedicating themselves to jewelry design. The Los Castillo brothers, Sigi Pineda, Margot de Taxco, and Ana Brilanti are some of the most recognized and sought after names among jewelry aficionados. All have developed their own unique style. Los Castillo are known for employing pre-Columbian elements, remaining loyal to Spratling’s school. Pineda has inspired the Mexican Modernist Movement with his version of organic modernism since the 1950s. His style veers toward international flavors, moving away from symbolic Mexican themes. Margot began working with Los Castillo and traditional Mexican designs including pre-Columbian and colonial elements. Later, she experimented with modern and Asian styles, making enameling her signature element. Ana Brilanti’s designs are stylized pre-Columbian and geometric motifs; her most famous piece is the fan necklace designed for U.S. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. These artists represent some of the styles of jewelry design in México. From region to region, one finds works that reflect variations and individual touches to the main movement. In Los Cabos, one-of-a-kind designs from well-known Taxco workshops can be found with a little footwork - by Anna Urbanik
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