Sterling Silver Treasure Box, c. 1930 by William Spratling (1900- 1967), Mexico

Sterling Silver Treasure Box, c. 1930'sBy William Spratling (1900- 1967), Mexicosterling silver2.75" high x 4.5" wide x 3.25" deep William Spratling was born in 1900 in Sonyea, New York. In 1926, Spratling visited Mexico for the first time. He returned for summers over the next several years, and in 1929, moved to Mexico. Spratling quickly was introduced to and became a welcome participant in the artistic circles of Mexico.  His activities in promoting the art of Diego Rivera among New York galleries led to his participation in the first exhibition of Mexican arts held in the United States.  The exhibit was funded by the Carnegie Institute and opened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Spratling assisted in assembling the exhibit and also lent a number of his own pieces.   In 1931 Dwight Morrow, the US Ambassador to Mexico, suggested to Spratling that Taxco had been the site of silver mines for centuries, but Taxco had never been considered a location where jewelry and objec