William Spratling Five-piece coffee service with tray

Taxco, Mexico, 1934-1966
sterling silver, ebony

6¼ h × 6½ w × 4¾ d in (16 × 17 × 12 cm)

Service is comprised of a coffee pot, creamer, open sugar bowl, waste bowl, and a tray. Impressed manufacturer's mark to underside of coffee pot ‘Sterling William Spratling Taxco Mexico 925 WS’ and to three additional examples ‘WS 925’ with eagle stamp ‘30’. Impressed manufacturer's mark to underside of waste bowl ‘Spratling Sterling Spratling Made in Mexico WS’. 36.9 ozt. (gross weight)

shortest: 2¼ h × 4½ w × 2¾ d in (6 × 11 × 7 cm)

tray: 1 h × 8¾ w × 6¾ d in (3 × 22 × 17 cm)

Condition: Good vintage condition. Waste bowl bears earlier mark; this is likely an assembled set. Service exhibits minor signs of wear commensurate with age, use, and previous polishing. Typical wear to tray from contact over time, including minor nicks to rim and light scratches to interior. Lacking pin to coffee pot cover. A couple of tight separations within the grain of one wood handle on open sugar bowl and to tray. A couple of very minor impressions to foot of waste bowl. Please note this work may require the buyer to obtain a CITES permit to export out of the United States. Due to increased scrutiny regarding the issuance of CITES certificates, we cannot guarantee an export permit will be granted.

Provenance: Property of a Texas Collector