Obsidian Disc Earrings

A beaded silver wire spirals across each obsidian disc in these earrings, a line of bright metal tracing a path over the dark volcanic glass.

Obsidian was among the native Mexican materials Spratling brought into his jewelry, its black reflective surface a natural foil for silver. The spiraling beaded wire is the workshop's handwork on display, each bead formed from melted wire (Morrill, p. 36) and the spiral drawn by hand across the stone.

The earrings are recorded in Mexican Silver Jewelry: The American School 1930-1960.