The rounded form of the frog is a natural yet whimsical fit for the bowl of a salt spoon in this set designed by William Spratling. The perforated holes on top allow for salt to shake through and also lend the frogs a speckled appearance. Several of Spratling’s designs include animals, which were important symbolic subjects for Mesoamerican cultures (see, e.g., M.86.296.168).
Trained as an architect, Spratling moved from New Orleans to Taxco, Mexico, where he established his first silver workshop in 1931. Working alongside master silversmiths and local apprentices, in 1935 he opened his famed Taller de Las Delicias, which attracted a cohort of international artists, intellectuals, and Hollywood celebrities. Spratling’s emphasis on craftsmanship and his experimentation with different sources, including Mesoamerican art, Art Deco, and modernism, contributed to his great success and helped revitalize the Mexican silver industry.
Rachel Kaplan
2025
