Two pair metales casados Mexican modernist cufflinks design 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!
#cufflinks #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillo
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
This is the earlier version of the design in iron or steel that has been given a blue patination then silver wire is inlaid to form the design of a starry night, and a single moonstone representing the full moon reflecting on the waters below. These blued steel pieces are extremely rare, and this brooch design is the only one of this version that I've seen in my 45+ years in the field. This one is about 1.5" diameter, and it's marked "Chato Castillo" and design number "101".
This is a later version, probably the early 1950s, and the blued steel is set in a sterling silver frame. Otherwise, almost the same design, with a single moonstone representing the full moon reflecting on the waters below. The design is silver wire inlaid into a blued steel base. Marked at back "Los Castillo Taxco Hecho en Mexico" and design number '101'. Measures about 1.5" diameter and 17 grams total. The only one of this version of the design that I have seen ever! Very rare design!
Two versions of this very rare design by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco circa late 1940s.
#bluedsteel #fieropavonado #moonstone #starrynight #moonshiningonwater #chatocastillo #loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #metalsmith #oneofakind #art
A superb and quite rare vintage 1950s handmade 'metales casados' (married metals mixed metals (silver, copper, brass, and dark silver) Mexican modernist Philodendron Leaf pitcher designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco. An incredible artwork in addition to being one of the most technically demanding of pitchers to hand fabricate! Designed by Chato Castillo in the early 1950s, and an iconic example of what I call his 'patchwork' design in married metals, the joining together in geometric shapes of various metals using the metales casados technique. Los Castillo made many items in the 'patchwork' design including trays of various sizes and other large serving dishes in addition to salt and peppers sets, smaller drink shakers/pitchers, cups of various sizes, and even several designs in jewelry as well! This pitcher measures about 9.5" tall by 10.25" across from handle to spout. Marked at bottom as shown, "Hecho en Mexico Handwrought Los Castillo Taxco Metales Castillo" and the design number 95 that was used for most everything made in the patchwork design except for the jewelry items. In excellent vintage condition.
Probably my favorite pitcher made by Los Castillo - designed by Chato Castillo in the 1950s - 'metales casados' (married metals) in a geometric pattern with an applied 'philodendron' leaf.
Available in my shop...
www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...
#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillo #pitcher #taxco
A large vintage 1950s Los Castillo Taxco ‘metales casados’ Mexican modernist geometric design tray - the tray has been given a hammered treatment at top, and the metales casados is in three metals, copper and silver, and a third metal that has been given a dark patina - I’m not sure exactly what the third metal is, but the patina has worn in a few small spots and it looks like possibly a brass or bronze alloy, but I can’t say for sure. This round tray measures 11.5” diameter, and weighs almost 30 ounces. Marked at back as shown, design number “162”, “Los Castillo Taxco” in a circle, and “Metales Castillo”. The tray was also given a clear lacquer coating that is still evident at back but mostly worn away on top. Note on the ‘Metales Castillo” mark: on their earliest married metal pieces, Los Castillo marked them ‘metales casados’. However, they were unable to copyright or patent protect the term, and it was being used widely by copycats knocking off their designs, so they coined the mark, “Metales Castillo” which they were able to copyright and this became one of the marks found on their married metals pieces in the 1950s and 60s. Sometimes, pieces by Los Castillo only have the ‘Metales Castillo’ mark without the other marks, but since this mark was only used by Los Castillo, it’s a pretty sure indication that the item is genuine.
marks at back of the Los Castillo 'metales casados" tray
A large 1950s 'Metales Castillo' tray designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco.
#chatocastillo #metalescasados #metalescastillo #marriedmetals #loscastillotaxco #taxco #handmade #metalart #art #vintage1950s #mexicanmodernism #metalworking #mexicandesign #design #artinmetal #mixedmetals
My small collection of rings by Los Castillo in roughly chronological order from top left to bottom right.
#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillo #margotvanvoorhies #salvadorteran #antoniocastillo #taxco #rings #jewelry #jewelrydesign #wearableart #handmade #silver #vintagejewelry #hechoenmexico #art
A large sterling and brass handmade vintage 1950s 60s modernist bracelet designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco, Mexico. The bracelet centers a large tear-drop shaped obsidian stone at top. The stone is prong-set with the characteristic curling prongs used by Los Castillo during this period. Signed inside band as shown in the photo, "Los Castillo Taxco" with the Eagle 15, and "Hecho en Mexico". The only example of this design that I have seen, though I have seen many similar.
A huge Los Castillo 1950s mixed metal and obsidian modernist bracelet.
#loscastillotaxco #loscastillotaller #chatocastillo #loscastillojewelry #taxco #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymodern #midcenturymexico #diseñomexicano #modernismomexicano #platamodernista #moderndesign #patrickkapty
'Metales Casados' the metalworking technique also known as married metals was invented by Chato Castillo of Los Castillo in the late 1940s/early 1950s - the various metals are joined seamlessly using a technique known as sweat-soldering ie using very little actual solder - this example is of a pre-Columbian Aztec Warrior in a geometric design using silver, brass, and copper - a rare and quite large vintage 1950s hand wrought 'metales casados' (married metals) Mexican modernist Aztec Warrior design tray by Los Castillo of Taxco. A very rare design, and one that I have only seen once before in my 45+ year career! No doubt the original design was by Chato Castillo for the family enterprise Los Castillo in Taxco, and it's a striking design in three colors of metal (copper, brass, and silver)! One of the larger versions of their trays, and in such great shape too! Measures 17" long by 9.25" wide, and rises a bit under 1/2" at rim. I'm guesstimating it weighs about 3-4 pounds prior to packing. Marked at back as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco Hecho en Mexico" and design number "244". Excellent vintage condition with just fine light wear and tarnish as shown - please view the photos, read the description, and ask all questions prior to purchase. I am open to reasonable offers from serious buyers.
A 'metales casados' (married metals) vintage 1950s handmade decorative tray designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo of Taxco - click on the link for further details...
www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...
#loscastillotaxco #metalescasados #chatocastillo ##mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #taxco
