Ebony Disc Earrings

A larger ebony circle and a smaller silver disc overlap at the top in these earrings, both rimmed with applied silver beads so the dark wood and bright metal share a single beaded edge.

The applied bead was made the workshop's way, thin wire cut into rings and melted on asbestos until each drew into a ball (Morrill, p. 36). Ringing both discs with these handmade beads ties the ebony and the silver into one composition.

The pairing of silver with ebony belongs to Spratling's habit of setting metal against warm exotic woods. The earrings are recorded in Mexican Silver Jewelry: The American School 1930-1960.