u/CaliforniaDreaminArt

Chato experimented all his life with different forms and techniques of stone inlay. One of his most successful was the 'onix negro' technique that was used both in jewelry and objects. I've seen it in boxes, letter openers, and some one of a kind objects that were probably special ordered, as well as extensively in jewelry of all kinds. It involves in this instance inlaying black onyx into a sterling silver frame (as in the pendant) or channel (as in the necklace links). The pendant required incredible skill to inlay the stone so seamlessly around the intricate raised silver design.

This design was also made as a brooch, earrings, a bracelet, and of course this necklace version.

Los Castillo numbered their designs, but there were many inconsistencies in the numbering system. There seems to be different numbering series for different techniques, such as the onix negro line shown here. So, design number "42" would be the 42nd design created in the onix negro line.

Many other Mexican silversmiths 'borrowed' the technique over the ensuing decades in Taxco, but none matched the technical prowess or design quality of Chato and Los Castillo in my opinion. They made it first, they made it best!

Chato Castillo created the ‘metales divorciados’ technique in the late 1940s to early 1950s period - the metal pieces are raised above the wood ground on little legs, and they are ‘divorced’ ie don’t meet, don’t touch each other. This example is one of the smaller pieces measuring a bit over 12” in each direction. Marked at front with the Chato cypher ‘Ch’ (snake) mark, and at back with inset disk marked “Chato Castillo Taxco” in a circle. No doubt produced and sold by Los Castillo in Taxco and likely at the Mexico City location as well. These artworks were limited production, not one of a kind, but are rare and very hard to find these days. I only see a couple listed for sale every year, and usually the more common designs that must have been the most popular in their day.

Many other artisans copied Chato's divoriciado technique to produce their designs, most notably the Benedictine monks of Cuernavaca aka Talleres Monasticos aka Emaus. They originally were contracted to make pieces for Los Castillo for sale in the Los Castillo stores in Taxco, Mexico City, and Puerto Vallarta, but later they sold their pieces independently through other retailers.

Later in the 1980s and 1990s, after Chato's death, his brother Antonio Castillo revived the technique with modifications including stone inlay, and dramatic dimensional pre-Columbian designs.

#chatocastillotaxco #chatodesign #loscastillotaxco #metalesdivorciados #divorcedmetals #artwork #handmade #design #moderndesign #modernism #midcenturymexico #taxco #taxcosilver #taxcomodern #disenomexicano #mexicansilver #handmade #c1950

A super rare and likely one of a kind vintage late 1940s to early 1950s hand wrought copper mythological Hippocampus (Horse-fish) design vide poche tray/bowl designed by Margot Van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco. Entirely hand made in solid copper using the repoussage technique to create the dimensional representation of a Hippocampus (steed of Poseidon - King of the Sea in Greek mythology), and carrying a large shell of his back which were often associated with Hippocampi. In classical mosaics and Renaissance revivals, creatures in Poseidon's retinue—including hippocampi, tritons, and centaur- tritons—are often depicted holding large conch shells used as horns to calm or summon the tides. I am guessing that this is one of the last of the designs that Margot did while at Los Castillo, and it is unmistakably hers! She had an eclectic predilection for exotic lands and cultures with her designs featuring Asian influence to Art Deco to geometric modernist to Ancient Greek/Roman with this design. This is the only example of this design that I have run across, and I have seen literally thousands of pieces by them over the years! Measures 10" by 10" by a little over 1" tall at the rim. Marked at back as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" and "Made in Mexico". In excellent vintage condition.

#margotvanvoorhies #margotdetaxco #mythological #handmade #repoussage #animalier #design #mexicandesign #midcenturymexico #mexicanmetalworking #hechoenmexico #mexico #taxco #oneofakind #conchshell #poseidon #greenkmythology

After cufflinks, I started collecting the boxes initially to store my cufflinks in, but later because I really liked them, and the incredible craftsmanship that Los Castillo put into everything that they produced. The metales casados Snake design is surrounded by blue and green resin with inset pieces of azurmalachite - the proportion of colored resin to natural stone is much higher than that found in earlier examples, and so I am guessing that this box is later, the late 60s or even early 1970s, which means that it is possibly one of the last designs by Chato Castillo prior to his death in the mid-1970s. The remainder of the box is brass with redwood (possibly cocobolo wood) inner paneling, and with the usual period Los Castillo marks, "Los Castillo Taxco", "Handwrought", "Hecho en Mexico", and design number 346. Notice that Los Castillo silvered the markings to make them stand out from the base metal of the box. A fascinating detail. A rare design that I've only seen twice ever! Measures 7.5” wide by 4” deep by 0.75” tall. NFS.

#loscastillotaxco #loscastillobox#snakedesign #box#chatocastillodesign #taxco#taxcosilver #taxcomodern#mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism#handmade #metalescasados#marriedmetals #mixedmetals#modernism #mexicandesign#hechoamano #hechoenmexico#patrickkapty

Two pair metales casados Mexican modernist cufflinks designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco circa 1950s - front pair in sterling and brass, back pair are sterling and copper - over 1.5" wide - the only examples of this design that I have seen!
Besides being a talented designer, Chato was a technical genius who invented metalworking techniques that have been in use in Taxco ever since! He is responsible for the re-invention of the 'metales casados' aka married metals aka eutectic bonding joining of metals that was used by many ancient cultures including pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures in Mexico. It is not mere mixed metals, or the metal overlay in use in Taxco before Chato, it is the physical joining of different metals without using solder in a manner similar to jigsaw puzzles. Thus, when a metales casados tray is turned over, you will see the same pattern on the bottom, but of course in mirror image. Metales Casados is so demanding and time-consuming that it is seldom used anymore anywhere in the world these days due to the great cost and lack of masters skilled in the technique, although Wolmar Castillo of Los Castillo is the one notable exception.

A spectacular vintage 1950s sterling silver and 'metales casados' (married metals, mixed metals) pre-Columbian -inspired design box by the Los Castillo workshop in Taxco Mexico. One of the greatest innovations of the Mexican mid-century was the re-discovery or re-imagining of ancient pre-Columbian metalworking techniques by Chato Castillo, one of the four founding brothers and technical genius of the Los Castillo taller in Taxco. More than just a painted or applied metal, the married metals technique is similar to a jigsaw puzzle in that different metals were fitted together precisely and were joined together as one piece often without using solder. As you can see in my photos, the metal pieces go all the way thru, and are not just applied on the surface. This technique required great mastery and the craftsmen that did this work were highly paid and often labored for several days on each piece especially with the larger items like this box. The lid of the box features a married metals design no doubt taken from ancient Aztec codices showing a ritual sacrifice that was a central part of the Aztec religion. I've seen this design box in two other examples, both of them with hinged lid but basically the same box. This is the only example of this box with lift-off lid that I have ever seen! Not only was the married metals technique created by Chato, but also the design of this box is no doubt by him too as were the other married metals objects by Los Castillo from the mid-century. Measures 7-1/2" by 5-1/8" by 1-7/8" high at the outer edges. This box weighs 1093.2 grams total, or 2 pounds and 6.5 ounces total weight. Marked as shown, "Los Castillo Handwrought", "Los Castillo Taxco", "Silver", with Eagle 15, and design number 19. The eagle mark means that the item in question is overall of sterling silver quality, but in this case the silver portions were of higher grade silver, likely 980 silver, to account for the copper edging and feet of the box and the mixed metal design in the lid. The inside of the box is lined in rosewood which is in very good condition. Tested and guaranteed to be as described. Excellent vintage condition.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #metalescasados #sterlingsilver #rosewood #lined #box #Aztecritualsacrifice #aztec #codices #design #marriedmetals #1950s #taxco #mexicansilver #taxcosilver #mexicandesign #precolumbianrevival #precolumbiandesign #precolumbianscene #sculpture #art

#loscastillotaxco #taxco #mexicansilver #1940s #margotvanvoorhies #design #jewelrydesign #taxcosilver #unique #oneofakind #brooch #figure #under #treeoflife #dangling #gemstones #pin #uniquejewelry #statementjewelry #figuraljewelry

Two examples of brooch design number 477 circa 1940s from Los Castillo in Taxco. No doubt a design collaboration from Margot and Antonio Castillo, who were married at the time. I'm guessing that the two examples were made by different maestros to accommodate different shapes of stones and from a drawing, not a model or other design guide.
The example at right is slightly wider, and the tigereye stones are oriented horizontally rather than vertically.
Both are marked "Los Castillo Taxco Made in Mexico Sterling" and design number "477". Both are 3.25" tall by 3" wide. (Not shown side by side, photos is a composite, so one looks wider in the photo, it's not.)
A lovely 1940s Los Castillo design, and these are the only two examples of it that I've seen.

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #design477 #taxco #mexicansilver #brooch #pin #jewelrydesign #mexicanjewelry #artdeco #1940s #repoussage #opals #tigereye #mexicandesign #antoniocastillo

#loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillodesign #handmade #980silver #jade #precolumbianjade #unique #oneofakind #pendant #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #mexicandesign #jewelrydesign #1930s #taxco #taxcosilver

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.

I've had quite a few of these pre-Columbian figure dimensional wall sculptures by Los Castillo over the years. They're all from the last two decades of Antonio Castillo's life, and no doubt are his designs, and perhaps even made by him.

Constructed in silver, copper, and brass, with stone inlay in the 'feathers' at top, and a genuine pre-Columbian jade ear spool at top of his long dangling 'metales casados' earring. The entire sculpture is attached to an ebonized wood backing, and there is a wire hanger at back for attaching to the wall.

Signed at bottom, "Los Castillo" as shown.

There are many copies of these latter designs by Antonio, and some of them are very close copies and likely made by craftsmen that worked for him at some time. If they are not signed, they are likely copies, not a Los Castillo original.

A large vintage 1980s 90s handmade mixed metals 'metales casados' azurmalachite stone inlay and onyx Mexican modernist Aztec Warrior Chieftain wall plaque/sculpture by Los Castillo of Taxco. An extravagant example of a large scale dimensional modernist take on a pre-Columbian Aztec warrior chieftain with a lavishly feathered helmet and with a shell design with stone inlay decoration. The entire figure is in mixed metals with an onyx and married metals dimensional earring that drops a full 3"! The 'feathers' are brass with inlaid azurmalachite stone. The outer edges of the artwork measure 17" by 12-5/8" by about 3/4" thick, and the figure itself measures 11" by 8" and rises above the wood base by a full 1". Marked at the bottom right at front as shown with "Los Castillo" in raised brass lettering that is applied to the wood. Excellent vintage condition.

Designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco in the last decade of his life. Chato loved the nightlife, he loved Jazz music, honky-tonks, smoking, drinking, he was a real wild child!

One of my first collections of the works of Los Castillo were their boxes. An art form all on their own, and often reflecting the styles and preferred materials of their era.

Chato's signature style is rendering a person or a scene with simple lines, but translated into metals, stone, etc.

In my opinion, one of his most iconic designs!

A rare and possibly one of a kind vintage 1930s handmade 980 silver and jelly opal Mexican Art Deco Crown Bow & Heart design brooch by Margot Van Voorhies Carr for Los Castillo of Taxco in their very earliest days and during her marriage to Antonio Castillo, one of the founders of the Los Castillo Taller. The early days of Los Castillo, and the early days of the marriage between Margot and Antonio Castillo! Everything about this brooch screams love, fidelity, unbreakable bonds (marriage), etc. The crown at top represents not only royalty but also reward for hard work, faith, and perseverance. The bow represents unbreakable bonds, pledges, and the enduring nature of love and loyalty. And of course, the heart represents love, but also affection, and everything that comes with love whether it's romantic, or parental, or friendship! Last, the opal stone also represents love, and passion, and romance, as well as protection, and good fortune! All in all, a powerful statement, and likely a one of a kind given the rare nature of the stone! I've only seen jelly opals used one other time by Los Castillo, in a pair of fur clips also in 980 silver! It's even prettier in person! The brooch measures 3-1/8" tall by 2" wide, and weighs 24 grams total. The stone is quite high domed as shown in my photos, and there is a lot of play of color in the crystal clear stone as shown! Marked at back as shown in the photos, "980 Los Castillo Taxco Made in Mexico" and design number "463". Excellent vintage condition.

#crown #bow #heart #symbolisminjewelry #vintagejewelry #silverjewelry #mexicanjewelry

The Castillo brothers were collectors of pre-Columbian artifacts for most of their lives, and started setting some of them in their jewelry creations early in their careers. This necklace by Chato features a pre-Columbian carved dark stone maskette at center of the pendant. The stone carving is from the ancient Mezcala culture of present-day Guerrero, Mexico, and is about 2000 years old.

Constructed in sterling silver, copper, and brass, with the pre-Columbian carved stone relic bezel-set at center.
Marked at back, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle, and "Metales Castillo".
No doubt a Chato Castillo design, as are all the "Metales Castillo" pieces.
Two shades of brass alloy used, plus copper and silver, make this a four-color metal creation. The fancy chain above has alternating copper and sterling silver links. The standard V-spring and box clasp at back is marked "Los Castillo Taxco" and "Sterling".
The pendant measures just over 4" tall by 2-5/8" wide, and hangs on the 23" wearable integral chain.
Total weight is 103 grams.

In 1980, Billionaire brothers Nelson and William Hunt tried to corner the silver market which caused the prices of silver to skyrocket up to $50 per ounce! After their efforts failed, the price returned to the $4-$7 range. During this brief bubble period, I believe, is when companies like Los Castillo, who relied on the supply of silver to be plentiful and cheap, decided to start producing silver-plated goods. Many of their sterling silver designs created in earlier decades were re-issued in silver plate. Their silver-plated designs sold through companies like Neiman-Marcus, and were very popular and produced in relatively large numbers.

This example is in silver-plate ('plateado') with Azur-malachite stone inlay in the 'eye' and the handle. One of their most popular designs, it was produced in large numbers, and I have literally seen hundreds of them over the years, and it's still in production today by the younger generation at Los Castillo.

An iconic design, and one of the most favored by the mcm collector crowd who often mislabel it as mid-century when it's actually 1980s era.

Xochicalco is about 40 miles distance from Taxco, and an easy drive for the Castillos to observe important digs taking place there in the 1940s. The ruins are now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

#loscastillotaxco #perfildeperico #Maya #precolumbian #Xochicalco #parrothead #design #mcm #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #taxco

A lovely pair of vintage 1930s handmade 980 silver and gorgeous fiery jelly opal floral motif fur clips designed by Margot in the very first year in business of Los Castillo in Taxco. One of the earliest marks for Los Castillo, and using a stone that I have rarely seen before in Los Castillo jewelry, and I am a long-time collector of their work! In fact, I can only remember one other piece of Los Castillo jewelry with jelly opals EVER! The stones are quite fiery and have a wide range of colors from a golden body color to flashes of red blue green and yellow! Each clip measures 3" by 2-3/8", and the pair weigh 1.4 ounces total or about 40 grams for the pair. Both are marked at backs as shown, "980 Los Castillo Taxco" and design "270". I've only seen one other example of this design over the years, and that one was all silver without any stone. A very early and very rare design! Excellent vintage condition.

#loscastillotaxco #980silver #margotdesign #mexicansilver #taxco #mexicanartdeco #figurativeartdecodesign #mexicanjewelry #silverjewelry #vintagejewelry #furclips #floraldesign #jellyopals

A super rare vintage 1950s handmade mixed metals (sterling, copper, brass) and large pre-Columbian jade bead Mexican modernist bracelet designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco, Mexico. An incredible design entirely handmade by skilled artisans in the Los Castillo workshop in heavy-gauge brass and copper wire, centering a large (1.25" diameter!) pre-Columbian jade bead at top, and with a sterling silver closure at bottom! Both Chato and his brother Antonio Castillo were long-time collectors of pre-Columbian artifacts, and some pieces from their collections found their way into unique jewelry designs produced by Los Castillo. I've only seen one other example of this bracelet design which I purchased at auction a few years ago from the famous Hodosh collection in California. This is only the second example of it that I have seen, and I had the privilege of viewing some of the best collections of Mexican silver and modernist jewelry in the world when I worked on the Maestros de Plata exhibition and catalog back in 2001. The bracelet measures 1.5" wide at top, and fits up to a 7.5" wrist (snugly), though I suggest a 7 to 7.25 wrist at largest for comfortable wear, and weighs a hefty 71.5 grams total. The pre-Columbian jade bead measures 1.25" diameter by about 7/8" widest point. The bracelet is marked with the early 1950s "Metales Castillo" mark, also design number "191".You won't see another one for sale anytime soon! There is some wear as expected to the ancient pre-Columbian jade bead that is likely Maya in origin, and is no doubt in the vicinity of 2000 years old! Excellent vintage condition.