The History of Mexican Silver Jewellery - By: Catherine Darcy

The history of silver in Taxco is a fascinating mixture of legend and fact. Located in the hills about 100 miles Southwest of Mexico City, Taxco is one of the oldest mining sites located in the Americas.

As a town, it has retained its natural charm with its beautiful white washed houses, red-tiled roofs, and narrow cobble-stoned streets. The central square (the Zocalo) is shaded by trees and dominated by the stunning 240 year-old Santa Prisca Catheral.

The natural wealth of silver has been attracting Conquistadors and visitors alike for hundreds of years.

Before the Spanish arrived the native Indians called it Tlacho meaning the place of the ballgame. According to local legend the Aztecs had the locals pay tribute to them with gold bars. Cortes arrived in 1492, and by 1521, the Aztecs were a conquered race. In 1522, Cortes staked his mining claim in Taxco.

By the end of the 16th century, Taxco had become Spain's principle source of silver, and its silver had spread across Europe. Tiny Taxco became famed throughout the world for the beauty and wealth of its silver.

As a mining centre, Taxco's fame was relatively short lived, by the 1700s, new, easier sources had been discovered and the Taxco mines were abandoned. Then in 1716 its fortunes changed again when Don Jose de la Borda, out riding his horse in the hills, rediscovered silver in Taxco. In recognition of his good fortune, Borda built the beautiful and Baroque Santa Prisca Cathedral. This magnificent church can be seen from all over Taxco, glittering in the sunlight and reminding all who see it of the incredible wealth that one lay in the surrounding hills.

During Mexico's 19th century war for Independence the Spanish barons destroyed their mines rather than let them fall into the hands of the revolutionaries. Without local silver, the art of silver work died out entirely and Taxco went into decline until it was revived by an unlikely saviour, a New Orleans professor of architecture, Bill Spratling.

William Spratling, an American from Tulane University arrived in Taxco in 1926 to study Mexico and its culture and to write a book. He fell in love with the area, and in 1929 he moved permanently to Mexico where he soon became a leading figure in Mexicos artistic community. In 1931 during a passing conversation with the U.S. Ambassador, Spratling discovered that Taxco had been the site of silver mines for centuries, but unfortunately had never been considered a location where silver jewellery and objects of silver were designed and made. This comment changed the course of Taxco's artistic and economic history forever.

Mr. Spratling soon discovered the latent talent in the local community, encouraging the local artisans to create new designs and rediscover the craft of silversmithing. He created an apprentice system for training young silversmiths with artistic talent and gave them the opportunity to develop their skills.

The great beauty and craftsmanship coming out of Taxco earned worldwide recognition and fame once again for Mexico. Over time many of these artisans opened workshops and stores of their own- all encouraged by his unwavering support.

Each November, Taxco honours its source of wealth and fame with the world famous Silver Fair (or 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.

Today, Taxco is designated a national monument and is famed throughout the world for the quality and imagination of its silver jewellery.

A brief history of the silver jewellery industry in Mexico.

Catherine D’Arcy is the founder of www.CorazonLatino.com, an online retailer specializing in handmade silver jewellery. To see their exclusive range of designs, visit Corazon Latino