Mexico is a great nation that borders on much of the U.S. southern boundary. At the time when these spoons were made, the American and German companies created spoons which were designed to be sold to American tourists visiting Mexico. Some Mexican created pieces were also imported into the USA and sold through American silver manufacturers (see the Pan Am expo piece under world fairs).
Mexico is now probably the largest producer of silver in the world. It has a thriving silver industry and currently produces numerous objects which are imported into the USA, but most of the spoons which are being created at this time do not have the panache of the older pieces. Many art deco style pieces are still being produced.
Mexican art deco silver is now starting to command some startling prices, especially if it was made by a recognized company. I see these pieces being offered for sale at high prices. A recent book on "Spratling Silver" by Sandraline Cederwall and Hal Riney may have something to do with this "sudden interest." Spratling was an American ex-patriot who moved to Mexico and established an upscale silver manufacturing firm specializing in his own designs. Most of his designs were "arts and crafts" style. He did not do his own work, but hired hundreds of workers (over the years) to actually produce the items.
A full figure alligator is the handle on this engraved bowl spoon of the Municipal Palace (palacio municipal) in Durango, Mexico. The building is distorted only in the picture, because of the angle of the bowl.
Tijuana is a border town about 15 miles south of San Diego, Calif. Since San Diego was a mecca for tourists because of its beautiful climate, lovely beaches, and fancy hotels, many tourists made the trip to Tijuana at that time (and still do).
Hounds chasing a rabbit
Multiple scenes are impressed into the bowl and the handle contains further scenes
This spoon features a figural cactus stem and the bowl is engraved with a picture of the "Mexican Boundary Mon't." in Tijuana
Mexico is known for its bull fights, and of course the star is the Matador. This full figured matador spoon (front and back) is a very nice piece. In this case the bowl has an embossed picture of the world famous Del Coronado Hotel, San Diego, but other scenes including the bull ring are sometimes found in the bowl. Right picture is a different full figure matador. Note: this spoon is also available in silverplate.
Bullfighting in Tijuana
An unusual spoon from Tijuana showing a cock fight. (these are illegal in the USA)
The leftmost spoon has a Mexican eagle finial, a hand done cutout of the eagle, applied word "Mexico" on the stem, and two mexican coins embedded in the bowl. This piece is all hand made and of excellent workmanship. This was a very popular design and I have seen several of them if you wish to buy or trade.
The middle spoon is also hand made and features the Mexican eagle finial, a combined flat and twisted stem and a plain bowl. The word "Mexico" is engraved on the stem.
The rightmost spoon features an adaptation of an American "state" spoon and the bowl has the word "Mexico" enameled in Mexico's flag colors.
Nice eagle finial with a worn coin bowl dated 1878. This spoon was most probably created in the 1910 -1920 era so the coin was old when used
Cutout "Mexico" on the handle. The bowl is a hand engraved picture of the Mexican eagle. This spoon was made in Germany of 800 silver by a silversmith with the same initials as mine.
Taxco, Mexico (made by I.M.P)
Taxco is a small mountain village that produces a tremendous amount of silver. The streets are lined with many silvershops. Many of the most famous Mexican silversmiths are from this town.
The large Cathedral on the zocalo in Mexico City
Mexico city is possibly the largest city in the world.
A figure of Montezuma is impressed into this citrus bowl and the word "Mexico" is on the handle. This spoon was made in Germany (800 silver)
bowl is acid etched "Mexico"
But the spoon was made in the USA by Wallace Silversmiths in the St. Leon pattern (1890)
This spoon features a carved mask from black obsidian and a coin bowl spoon.
A Mexican prison spoon is shown in the "prison exhibit"
Click to see an Art Deco applied stone god spoon set
Click to see more Mexican Carved Stone spoons
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