The quadripartite motif around this ashtray references the calendrical symbol Nahui Ollin (Four Movement/Earthquake)—the sign for the fifth and current era of creation. In Mexica mythology, the earth was created five times; natural forces—wind, rain, fire, and floods—destroyed the four previous eras. The symbol, which was carved on stone reliefs and illustrated in Indigenous codices, was redeployed by William Spratling in this and other early designs (M.2013.4.10).
An architect from New Orleans, Spratling established his first workshop in Taxco, Mexico, in 1931, working alongside a local master silversmith and several young apprentices. A brilliant marketing strategist, Spratling set out to reinvigorate Taxco’s economy by employing local artisans, catalyzing a renaissance in the Mexican silver industry. Insistence on handiwork and experimentation contributed to a thriving local industry. Designers and craftspeople drew on and creatively reinterpreted a variety of sources, including Mesoamerican art, Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, and modernist motifs.
Ilona Katzew
2024
