WS005  William Spratling Vindobonensis bracelet in 980 silver (a higher grade silver than sterling); circa mid-1940s; $2,850
Origin:  Taxco, Mexico
Dimensions:  7.25”L, 1”W; 91.8 gm
Condition:  Excellent

Counted as the most beautiful and detailed of Mixtec hand-painted books, the 16th century Codex Vindobonesis depicts mysterious Pre-Columbian deities, exotic animals, birds, flowering plants and lavish temple architecture.  These exuberant and flowing forms inspired Spratling’s ornately beautiful bracelet of the same name.  A featured piece in Morrill & Berk’s ‘Mexican Silver’ (Plate 111-30), this important piece shows Spratling’s uncompromising dedication to design, construction, and craftsmanship.  Each intricately carved curving link draws the eye along the graceful flow encircling the wrist.  Single and double applied half domes, set in high relief against narrow panels heavily darkened with age, alternate to add visual expansion, allowing glimpses of skin beneath.  Curved and pierced finials on each link integrate the connecting jump rings along the edges of the design, introducing movement and emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow.  Spratling bracelets are weighty, solid in construction, highly collectible and timeless in appeal.  This bracelet, of high grade 980 silver and marked in two places with the mid-1940’s Spratling Print Circle, exemplifies Spratling’s excellence in design and execution and looks absolutely stunning on the wrist.