William Spratling arrived in Taxco in 1929. He had been assigned to draw Colonial buildings in Mexico for the Tulane University's School of Architecture. He mentions he immediately thought of Taxco as the Florence of Mexico. It did not take long before he decided this was the place where he wanted to be. In 1931 he bought a house a few steps away from the main square - his home for many years, the very first location of Taller “las Delicias” and now Casa Spratling. He traveled a lot, his creativity and ambitious nature had allowed him to find many odd jobs around, but in Taxco he saw a greater opportunity. In his autobiography, he notes that a large part of the local population practiced some form of craftsmanship, particularly masonry. He saw possibility everywhere, and was struck by the absence of a thriving jewelry industry in a historic silver-mining town.
Determined to change this, Spratling traveled to Iguala—known for its goldsmithing—and convinced two artisans, Antonio Navarrete and Alfonso Ruiz Mondragon, to join him in Taxco. It worked. His talent for illustration, combined with the skill and ingenuity of the artisans, led to the founding of his first workshop: Taller “Las Delicias.”
By the 1940’s, the workshop had grown to employ more than two hundred plateros, and Spratling’s name had become widely recognized. His success inspired the opening of many other talleres throughout the town, nurturing the development of remarkable local artists that became pioneers of the modern Mexican silver movement, like Los Castillo and Antonio Pineda.
Later, Spratling moved to a property nearby Taxco el Viejo, where he built his dream house and ideal taller. He spent his final years working closely with Maestro Platero Don Tomás Vega, continuing to produce jewelry and objects of exceptional quality. Though his business experienced fluctuations over time, Spratling remained committed to his vision, ultimately leaving behind an extraordinary body of work. While best known for his jewelry, his legacy extends to objects, tableware, furniture, textiles, and his publications and illustrations.
In 1967, Spratling died in a car accident, leaving no direct heirs in Mexico. Prior to his passing, he had formed a relationship with Alberto Ulrich, who had fallen in love with Mexico, Taxco, and Spratling’s work, and envisioned a future continuing that legacy. At a time when Spratling required financial support, Ulrich stepped in to assist.
Following Spratling’s death, his estate passed to the Mexican state. Alberto Ulrich later acquired it and revived the workshop in Taxco el Viejo alongside Don Tomas Vega. Together, they continued producing pieces under the hallmark “Succesores de William Spratling” until the early 2000s. The work was later carried forward by his daughters, Violante and Consuelo Ulrich.
Today, Casa Spratling exists as both a place and a brand. The house—Spratling’s original residence in Taxco—is the headquarters of the brand. And, under the direction of designer Violante Ulrich, the space has been transformed into a gallery, an Italian–Mexican restaurant, and a guesthouse.
Casa Spratling, the brand, is led by Sveva Brasier Creagh, daughter of Violante Ulrich. As director, she develops a carefully considered, limited collection that reflects the principles and legacy of William Spratling. In collaboration with master silversmith Don Antonio Mundo Ortiz, the work revisits the original techniques of Spratling’s first workshop, “Delicias 23”—methods that Don Antonio learned and refined at the Rancho Spratling taller under the guidance of Don Tomás Vega.
Determined to change this, Spratling traveled to Iguala—known for its goldsmithing—and convinced two artisans, Antonio Navarrete and Alfonso Ruiz Mondragon, to join him in Taxco. It worked. His talent for illustration, combined with the skill and ingenuity of the artisans, led to the founding of his first workshop: Taller “Las Delicias.”
By the 1940’s, the workshop had grown to employ more than two hundred plateros, and Spratling’s name had become widely recognized. His success inspired the opening of many other talleres throughout the town, nurturing the development of remarkable local artists that became pioneers of the modern Mexican silver movement, like Los Castillo and Antonio Pineda.
Later, Spratling moved to a property nearby Taxco el Viejo, where he built his dream house and ideal taller. He spent his final years working closely with Maestro Platero Don Tomás Vega, continuing to produce jewelry and objects of exceptional quality. Though his business experienced fluctuations over time, Spratling remained committed to his vision, ultimately leaving behind an extraordinary body of work. While best known for his jewelry, his legacy extends to objects, tableware, furniture, textiles, and his publications and illustrations.
In 1967, Spratling died in a car accident, leaving no direct heirs in Mexico. Prior to his passing, he had formed a relationship with Alberto Ulrich, who had fallen in love with Mexico, Taxco, and Spratling’s work, and envisioned a future continuing that legacy. At a time when Spratling required financial support, Ulrich stepped in to assist.
Following Spratling’s death, his estate passed to the Mexican state. Alberto Ulrich later acquired it and revived the workshop in Taxco el Viejo alongside Don Tomas Vega. Together, they continued producing pieces under the hallmark “Succesores de William Spratling” until the early 2000s. The work was later carried forward by his daughters, Violante and Consuelo Ulrich.
Today, Casa Spratling exists as both a place and a brand. The house—Spratling’s original residence in Taxco—is the headquarters of the brand. And, under the direction of designer Violante Ulrich, the space has been transformed into a gallery, an Italian–Mexican restaurant, and a guesthouse.
Casa Spratling, the brand, is led by Sveva Brasier Creagh, daughter of Violante Ulrich. As director, she develops a carefully considered, limited collection that reflects the principles and legacy of William Spratling. In collaboration with master silversmith Don Antonio Mundo Ortiz, the work revisits the original techniques of Spratling’s first workshop, “Delicias 23”—methods that Don Antonio learned and refined at the Rancho Spratling taller under the guidance of Don Tomás Vega.