Los Castillo Taxco

Two modernist tie clips tie bars designed by Chato Castillo in the 1950s for the family firm, Los Castillo in Taxco. One of the greatest Mexican technical innovators in the 20th century, Chato was also a talented designer! Like many artists of his generation, Chato took much inspiration from the pre-Columbian cultures of ancient Mexico, and their artifacts that were still to be found strewn throughout much of the country. In Pre-Columbian Mexico, snakes (serpents) were powerful symbols of fertility, rebirth, agricultural renewal, and the connection between the earthly underworld and the heavens. They represented duality, often embodying the merging of earth and sky as seen in the deity Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. The top example is in 'Metales Castillo' (married metals) in copper and sterling, and the bottom example is in all sterling. Top example measures 2.25" wide by 1.25" Bottom example measures 2.25" wide by 5/8". Both have 1950s marks for Los Castilo in Taxco, top is design number '79', and the bottom is design number '166'. Note on Los Castillo design numbers. They are not necessarily sequential. They varied by materials used, time period of origin, and by the designer. You cannot date a Los Castillo piece based solely on the design number.

Two modernist Snake tie clips by Los Castillo c.1950s - top in copper and sterling, the bottom example in all sterling silver - both are 2.25" across, the top is 1.25" wide, the bottom is 5/8" wide.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #handmade #mexico #tieclips #tiebars #metalescastillo #silver

The design employs his 'onix negro' and 'mosaico azteca' inlay techniques to form two opposing 'hands'. One hand is primarily black onyx with a circle of azurmalachite inlay in the palm, and the other hand is the reverse primarily azurmalachite with a circle of onyx in the palm. The size, the brilliant color, the striking surrealist hand design, the rarity of this design. It's a masterpiece from his final few years! Materials: bronze, onyx, azurmalachite mosaic inlay The only example of this design that I have seen. Chato was greatly influenced by the modern art movements of his time including cubism and surrealism, and this design shows his fascination with the human hand. Marked "Los Castillo Taxco" and design number "11" at back.

A very large Chato Castillo design bronze belt buckle for Los Castillo circa 1970 - measures 4.5" across by 3" tall!

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #beltbuckle #modernism #midcenturymexico #handmade #jewelry #jewelrydesign #mexicandesign #design #vintagemodern #mexicanmodernism #art #hand

Front and back of a Los Castillo sterling silver 'swordfish' brooch circa 1950s - measures 2-3/8" long by 7/8" wide with a unique C-catch closure.

#loscastillotaxco #swordfish #pin #brooch #sterlingsilver #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #hechoenmexico #mexicandesign #jewelry #jewelrydesign #handmade

Designed by Margot van Voorhies Carr / Margot de Taxco, who was married to Antonio Castillo during the early days of Los Castillo. These are collector quality, with superb highly detailed repoussé silver work and a very unique design. Note the star on each pin - Margot had a star of each of her zodiac charms and pins. Measures 3" tall, 1 1/8" wide. Total weight is 38.6 grams. Signed and hallmarked with the early linear mark "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Mexico" and design #257 on each pin.

A delightful pair of 1940s sterling silver 'putti' pins designed by Margot van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco - each measures 3" tall.

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #repousse #putti #pins #brooch #jewelry #jewelrydesign #mexicansilver #taxco #handmade #wearableart #art #sterlingsilver #1940s

Here's a #metalescasados (married metals) and #mosaicoazteca stone inlay Fisherman Casting his Nets #mexicanmodernist #brooch by #chatocastillodesign for #loscastillotaxco

#handmade #copper #brass #silver #azurmalachite #mexicansilver #taxco #mexicanjewelry #modernism #design #wearableart #art #pin

A pretty design by Margot circa 1940s in hand repoussage sterling silver with a single large bezel-set amethyst cabochon. Typical of the Los Castillo 1940s work, and typical of Margot's design aesthetic at that time as well. Measures about 2.5" tall by 2" wide. Marked at back in block script, "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Mexico" and design number "591".

Here's a beauty from the 1940s designed by Margot for Los Castillo in Taxco - sterling silver with a single large amethyst cabochon - measures 2.5" tall by 2" wide - 1940s 'linear' marks with design number 591.

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #c1940s #mexicansilver #taxco #flower #brooch #handmade

A colorful Los Castillo sterling silver and 'mosaico azteca' stone inlay modernist ring designed by Chato Castillo c. 1950.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #taxco #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #silver #mosaicoazteca #stoneinlay #ring #modernistjewelry #wearableart #art

A super rare Los Castillo Taxco handmade sterling silver & amethyst Mexican modernist earrings & ring set designed by Chato Castillo c. 1955.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #mexico #modernism #wearableart #mcm #art #jewelrydesign

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes! This cigarette box was made by the Los Castillo workshop in Taxco circa 1970s. It is composed of malachite and azurite 'mosaico azteca' stone inlay over silver and copper 'metales casados' metalworking in the lid. The bottom section of the box is Mexican redwood with a silver frame. Marked 'Handwrought' 'Los Castillo' and 'Mexico'. It measures 7-3/8'W X 3-1/2''D X 1-3/8"T and weighs 1lb.8oz. A Chato Castillo design for the family workshop Los Castillo in Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico.

An iconic Los Castillo handmade silver wood and stone inlay 'smoking' box designed by Chato Castillo c.1970s

#handmade #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #mosaicoazteca #metalescasados #smoking #box #mcm #midcenturymexico #modernism #mexicanmodernism #hechoenmexico #taxcosilver #chatocastillodesign

Here's an early Los Castillo one of a kind 980 silver and pre-Columbian jadeite pendant circa 1930s - no doubt designed by Antonio Castillo who collected pre-Columbian relics for most of his life - this is one of the earliest examples by him using an ancient jade that I have seen!
#loscastillotaxco

Designed by Stella Popowski for Los Castillo circa 1955. Sterling backs and findings, with brass front surrounding inlaid black onyx and turquoise. The inlay technique called 'onix negro' was made famous by Los Castillo and was invented by Chato Castillo. The larger measures 3.5" tall by 1-7/8" widest point. The smaller measures 1.75" tall by 1.25" widest. Both are marked "Onix Negro" and design "046P". The larger is also marked "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15 mark, and also "Hecho en Mexico". I've seen the larger example a number of times both like here as a pendant, and also as a brooch, but this is the only time that I've seen the smaller version. I'm wondering if it was intended to be a charm on a bracelet perhaps? Interesting that the two pieces have the same design number. They are obviously related, but different enough to have their own numbers, I'd think.

Two examples of design number 046P by Stella Popowski for Los Castillo c. 1955.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #popowskidesign #onixnegro #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #mexicanmodernism #mexicandesign #taxco #taxcosilver #metalescasados #cross #catholic #pendant #wearableart #art #jewelry

A 'metales casados' and 'mosaico azteca' Leaf design brooch by Los Castillo circa 1960.

Measures roughly 1.75" each side.

Marked "Los Castillo Taxco", "Cooperativa SCL", "Hecho en Mexico", and "324".

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #metalescasados #hechoenmexico #mosaicoazteca #handmade

A 'metales casados' sterling and copper Snake design tie bar by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco Circa 1955.

Measures 2.25" across by 1.25" wide. Marked "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15, also "Metales Castillo", "Hecho en Mexico" and "79".

#loscastillo #taxco #snake

The entrance to Don Antonio Castillo's estate and workshop just outside of Taxco.

#loscastillo #taxco #antoniocastillotaxco #mexicansilver #handmade #mexicandesign #mexicanmetalworking

A rare and very early design by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco - the letter opener is fabricated from heavy gauge sterling silver, and has a geometric design inlay of malachite and black onyx in the handle. The only example of this design that I have seen in my 45+ years collecting the works of the Los Castillo atelier!

Solid sterling silver letter opener with malachite and onyx geometric inlay designed by Chato for Los Castillo circa 1945
NFS.
#handmade #loscastillotaxco #chatodesign #letteropener #geometricdesign #chatocastillo #midcenturymexico #mexicanmodernism #mexicandesign #taxco #taxcosilver #mexicansilver

A super rare vintage 1930s 40s handmade 'metales casados' (married metals) Mexican Art Deco 'Koi Fish' brooch designed and signed by Margot Van Voorhies Carr (de Taxco) (1897–1985) during her days at Los Castillo when she was married to Antonio Castillo. A large and impressive early 'metales casados' piece from Los Castillo in Taxco. Entirely handmade employing three colors of metals, sterling silver, copper, and brass to produce this dimensional design of a Koi Fish amongst underwater plants and bubbles of air! Designed by Margot Van Voorhies aka Margot de Taxco during her years as head designer at Los Castillo while still married to Antonio Castillo, hence the hand etched signature at back, "Margot de Castillo". I've only seen one other example of this design in over 40 years of collecting Los Castillo, and this is the only example signed by Margot that I have seen EVER! Measures 3.5" tall by 3" wide, and weighs 42 grams total. Marked at back as shown, "Margot de Castillo" hand etched signature at top, followed by stamped marks, "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Mexico" with early design number "109M". I have collected the works of the Los Castillo atelier for decades, and this is the ONLY example that I have ever seen actually signed by hand by Margot! A true collector's coup, and museum quality! Don't miss out on this opportunity because it's highly unlikely that you will ever see another! Excellent vintage condition.

Super rare vintage 1930s 40s Los Castillo Taxco handmade 'metales casados' Koi Fish brooch designed by Margot.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #metalescasados #koifish #design #brooch #margotvanvoorhies #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #mexicandesign #wearableart #art

A modernist flower brooch in three metals - sterling silver, copper, and brass - and with two azurmalachite stone beads held in place by three-colored bead-tipped wires. Measures 3" tall by 2-3/8" wide, and weighs a substantial 21.3 grams. Marked at back, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around design number "22", and "Hecho en Mexico".

Two azurmalachite stone spheres held in place by bead-tipped wires in copper, sterling, and brass, and attached to five-lobed sterling silver cups, which are further attached to brass wires joined at the bottom by a copper 'collar'. No doubt designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo. No doubt a rare design, possibly a one of a kind. The only example of this design that I have seen!

In the late 1940s, Los Castillo decided to stop using the mark 'metales casados' because they weren't able to trademark it, and there were lots of copycats.
So, they created their own mark, "Metales Castillo" for the unique line of married metals jewelry and objects.
(See Alt)
#loscastillotaxco #art

A sterling silver with 'metales casados' black onyx inlay and a mottled brown stone modernist brooch designed by Stella Popowski for Los Castillo in Taxco circa 1950s.

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #modernistjewelry #mexicanmodernism #stellapopowski #design #hechoenmexico #mexicansilver #taxco #art

An incredible one of a kind vintage 1960s handmade 'metales casados' (married metals) and pre-Columbian ancient pre-Columbian carved green stone Mayan ear spool Mexican modernist bracelet with dangles - designed by Chato Castillo, and produced by the Los Castillo workshop - from a series by Los Castillo of similar bracelets with ancient ear spools and dangles - each in the series is unique and one of a kind, but this bracelet is an exceptional example with a dragon emerging from the center of the ancient green stone carving - marked as shown in the photos "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle above "Hecho en Mexico" - fits up to about a 7.5" wrist and measures over 4" at front from top to bottom as shown!

A unique one of a kind vintage 1960s Los Castillo Taxco handmade 'metales casados' (married metals) and ancient pre-Columbian green stone ear spool Mexican modernist bracelet with dangles.

#loscastillotaxco #mexicanmodernism #taxco #mexicansilver #chatocastillodesign #handmade #oneofakind #bracelet

Heirs to a silversmithing tradition that has brought worldwide renown to Taxco, the children of Antonio Castillo Terán, one of the three great silversmiths of Taxco, have kept the essence of the family workshop alive. Lily is dedicated to preserving traditional techniques, Wolmar tends toward more contemporary creations, while Emilia has innovated by combining pure silver with porcelain. Furthermore, all three work with ancestral techniques such as repoussé, die-cutting, and lost-wax casting, as well as innovative processes that include alloying and disabling metals. Their dedication and skill have ensured that "Los Castillo" remains synonymous with excellence in Mexican silversmithing.

The present generation at Los Castillo, the children of Antonio Castillo: Emilia, Lily, and Wolmar.
(English translation of the below in Alt notes)

#loscastillotaxco #emiliacastillo #lilycastillo #wolmarcastillo #taxco #mexicansilver #metalsmith #mexicandesign #handmade #metalarts

A silverplate Peacock pitcher by Los Castillo of Taxco inlaid with malachite and azurite stones circa 1980s.

#loscastillotaxco #antoniodesign #vintage1980s #mexicansilver #peacock #pitcher #hollowware #mexicandesign #hechoenmexico #plata

An exceptional Los Castillo Taxco sterling silver and amethyst necklace circa 1950. NFS.

#loscastillotaxco #loscastillojewelry #vintage1940s #vintage1950s #handmade #mexicansilver #necklace #jewelrydesign #margotdesign #sterlingsilver #amethyst #mexicanjewelry #mexicandesign #hechoenmexico #taxco

A large set of vintage 1990s handmade sterling silver brooch and earrings with lucite dangles by Brenda Schoenfeld, a cousin to the Castillo family, and a successful jewelry designer in her own right.

#brendaschoenfeld #loscastillotaxco #taxco #silver #hechoenmexico #jewelry #mexicansilver #art

A spectacular no doubt one of a kind Los Castillo Taxco 'metales casados' Mexican modernist necklace with a pre-Columbian jade 'bird head' carving at center front!
Designed by Chato Castillo circa 1955.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #oneofakind #necklace #precolumbianjade #mexicansilver

A huge and very rare vintage 1980s handmade metales casados and mosaico azteca Mexican modernist pre-Columbian Hunting Scene decorative tazza tray designed by Antonio Castillo for his family firm Los Castillo in Taxco Mexico. A highly stylized Hunting Scene in metales casados (married metals) and mosaico azteca (mosaic stone inlay) set in a silver-plated tazza tray foundation. I'm certain that this incredibly beautiful object was intended to be an artwork for proud display rather than a utilitarian item for everyday use, and it looks amazing standing up in a plate stand as shown in my photos! Designed by and perhaps even made by Antonio Castillo in the last quarter of his life for his family workshop Los Castillo in Taxco. I've only seen one other of this design ever in my 45+ years in the business, and that tray was in predominantly green stone not the blue of this example! Measures 15-1/2" diameter by 2-1/2" high at rim, and weighs a substantial 6 pounds and 6 ounces prior to packing. Marked at back as shown in my photos, design number "777", also "Plateado Hecho en Mexico Los Castillo Taxco TA-01". There is substantial tarnish to the silver-plate at back which I haven't touched as I think it looks great dark, and in any case it doesn't show at all when on display. Excellent vintage condition.

A very large Los Castillo handmade 'metales casados' and 'mosaico azteca' Mexican modernist pre-Columbian Hunting Scene tray artwork designed by Antonio Castillo circa 1980.

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillotaxco #handmade #mexicanmodernism #oneofakind #art #taxco

A singular vintage 1970s one of a kind handmade sterling silver and druzy pyrite Mexican modernist cocktail ring by Citlal Castillo. Citlal is the niece of Antonio Castillo of Los Castillo, and the cousin of Emilia Castillo, and quite a talented designer in her own right! An entirely handmade sterling silver modernist cocktail ring featuring several bead-tipped wires at top that reach around and grasp the druzy pyrite stone! Such a unique ring, and no doubt a one of a kind piece of wearable art from mid century Mexico! Adjustable ring band presently about a size 10 US, but really will fit just about any finger. The ring measures just under 1" long at top, rises 5/8" above the finger, and weighs a hefty 17.3 grams total. Marked inside band, "Citlal" with her logo of two opposing letter C's that look like flowers or grasping hands, "925" and "Hecho en Mexico". From the estate of a very successful business woman in the publishing industry from NYC who traveled extensively and had exquisite taste! Excellent vintage condition.

Citlal Castillo is the niece of Antonio Castillo of Los Castillo in Taxco - a handmade sterling silver and druzy pyrite modernist ring by Citlal Castillo c. 1970s.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#citlalcastillo #loscastillo #taxco #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #ring #modernism

A superb vintage 1950s handmade sterling silver Mexican modernist Surrealist Primitive Animals design necklace by Salvador Teran for Los Castillo in Taxco. Salvador Teran was cousin to the Castillo brothers of Los Castillo, and he was a designer and silversmith there for their first decade or so before opening his own shop La India Bonita in 1952. This is one of his very rare and very early designs while still at Los Castillo. The design is comprised of two layers of sterling silver with the upper layer polished bright against the underlayer which has been oxidized black for contrast. The animals are broken into their various parts and the parts float in a black background like outer space. Is it a horse? or a deer? or a dog? I can't say for sure, but they're great! The necklace will fit up to a 15.5" neck presently, but extra links could be added in between the bar links or at back to make it fit larger sizes. This is an easy job that could be done by any silversmith or jeweler. The marks at back show a great deal of wear, but I can clearly make out "Los Castillo" in a circle around the early Eagle 15, and a very worn but still legible "Taxco" at bottom, and "Hecho en Mexico" with design number "108". Los Castillo rarely used a designer mark of any kind, and although the necklace doesn't bear Salvador's name, it is undeniably his design from his earliest days. Los Castillo also made the matching bracelet and the very

A Salvador Teran design for Los Castillo in Taxco circa 1950 - handmade sterling silver with raised and polished pieces above an oxidized black base.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #salvadorterandesign #taxco #mexicansilver #wearableart #sterlingsilver

A big vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver floral motif fur clip designed by Margot Van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco - design number 621, measures 5" tall by 3"!

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #floral #margotdesign #taxco #mexicansilver #furclip #vintage1940s #sterlingsilver #wearableart #art

A dazzling vintage 1940s 50s handmade sterling silver and amethyst Royal Queen Elizabeth Coat of Arms design brooch created no doubt by Margot Van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco. An elaborate and romantic design based no doubt on the arms of the Royal Princess Elizabeth just prior to her becoming the queen (see my last photo), probably around the time of her marriage in 1947 which of course was a worldwide celebration coming so shortly after the end of WWII. Entirely handmade hand-repoussage design in solid sterling silver, and centering two emerald-cut faceted prong-set natural amethyst of super rich intense color and very well-matched. This brooch was made pre-Eagle stamp, so 1948 at the latest, and may have been a special commission for a favored customer. I haven't seen it before, and there is no doubt that it is a very rare design. Measures 3.25" tall by 2-1/8" wide, and weighs 26 grams total. The stones each measure 15mm by 12mm, and are each in the range of 5-6 carats of lovely high-quality faceted richly colored natural amethyst. The best quality amethyst that I have seen in any Los Castillo piece, and probably anything from Taxco that I have seen as well! Amethyst is a naturally pleochroic stone, meaning that it can show more than one color especially in richly colored and faceted examples. These stones flash blue, violet, red, and purple, depending on the angle and intensity of the light source! Gorgeous! Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not visible in regular still photography, but I guarantee that the new owner will be pleasently surprised with the beauty of the stones. Marked at back as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle, and "Sterling Made in Mexico" in another circle beside design number "537". An incredibly beautiful brooch, and very rare! Excellent vintage condition.

A vintage 1940s Los Castillo handmade sterling silver and amethyst Royal Coat of Arms design brooch - measures 3.25" tall!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexico #royal #coatofarms #queenelizabeth #vintage1940s #marriage #princephilip #mexicansilver #pin

A huge vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco Leaping Gazelle brooch designed by Margot van Voorhies Carr for Los Castillo in Taxco Mexico. At the time, Margot was married to Antonio Castillo, one of the four Los Castillo brothers that founded Los Castillo in the late 1930s in Taxco. Margot drew for many sources for her designs, particularly the Art Deco 'animalier' style in this case! A very large and particularly attractive brooch that makes a stunning statement when worn! Entirely handmade by the talented silversmiths at Los Castillo in Taxco in the 1940s, and one of Margot's iconic designs from that period! Measures 3.25" across by 2.5" tall, and weighs 18.1 grams total. Marked at back as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" In a circle, "Made in Mexico Sterling" in a circle, the Eagle 15, and design number "579". Excellent vintage condition.

A very large Los Castillo Taxco vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco 'gazelle' design brooch - measures 3.5" across by 2.5" tall!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexico #artdeco #gazelle #brooch #mexicansilver #hechoenmexico #margot