Although Chato Castillo of Los Castillo invented the 'pluma azteca' (Aztec Feathers) jewelry-making technique of embedding brightly colored feathers in resin and setting it in silver in the early 1950s, by the 1980s there were several Mexican designers and silversmiths that had appropriated the technique for their own designs. This is a great example of exactly that! Vividly colored bird feathers embedded in clear resin resembling 'plique a jour' enamel, and set in a sterling frame with geometric cutouts! A vivid vintage 1980s handmade 'pluma azteca' sterling silver resin and colored bird feathers abstract Mexican modernist design brooch pin. Although Chato Castillo of Los Castillo invented the 'pluma azteca' (Aztec Feathers) jewelry-making technique of embedding brightly colored feathers in resin and setting it in silver in the early 1950s, by the 1980s there were several Mexican designers and silversmiths that had appropriated the technique for their own designs. This is a great example of exactly that! Vividly colored bird feathers embedded in clear resin resembling 'plique a jour' enamel, and set in a sterling frame with geometric cutouts! Measures 2-1/2" wide by 1" tall by 1/8" thick, and weighs a hefty 23.3 grams total. Marked at back "Sterling Mexico". Excellent vintage condition.

A vivid vintage 1980s handmade ‘pluma azteca’ (Aztec Feathers) sterling silver resin feathers Mexican modernist geometric design brooch - measures 2.5” wide!

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#handmade #mexicansilver #plumaazteca #mexicanmodernism #brooch #mexicanjewelry6 #wearableart

Chato Castillo was one of the greatest innovators in metalworking in the world in the 20th century! This modernist Eagle bracelet in sterling brass and feathers displays two of his signature innovations: metales casados (married metals) and pluma azteca (inlaid bird feathers). This particular bracelet is from the estate of the world famous American photographer and collector Arnold Crane, who purchased it directly from Los Castillo in Taxco in the 1950s. Arnold Crane's photographs are in the collections of museums worldwide, and his personal collection formed the foundation of the Getty Museum collection of photography. #loscastillotaxco #loscastillomodern #loscastillosilver #loscastillosilverjewelry #chatocastillotaxco #metalescasados #marriedmetals #plumaazteca #moderndesign #mexicandesign #midcenturymodern #midcenturymexico #mexicanmidcentury #taxco #taxcosilver #taxcosilverjewelry #arnoldcranephotographer #diseñomexicano #modernismomexicano #platamodernista #patrickkapty

A rare vintage 1950s Los Castillo Taxco 'metales casados' and 'pluma azteca' Eagle bracelet designed by Chato Castillo.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #taxco #mexicansilver #metalescasados #plumaazteca #bracelet #jewelry #jewelrydesign #wearableart #art #handmade #eagle

The 'pluma azteca' jewelry making technique entails the use of sterling silver as the frame, and the 'canvas' which is cut-thru to reveal the brightly-colored feather inlay underneath. In this case, the feathers are encased in a clear resin.

When held up to the light, the encased feathers glow brightly, and what looked like black is revealed to be purple. You can clearly see the individual barbs of the feather in this photo. The 'pluma azteca' (Aztec feather) technique was invented by Chato Castillo in the 1950s, and went thru several variations over the years. The technique was an homage to the Aztec and Mayan ancestors who adorned themselves in feathers, and valued them more highly than gold! Many other workshops in Taxco and beyond copied this feather-inlay technique, but Los Castillo made the most inventive and iconic designs from the era!

Two examples of different sizes of the Salvador Teran design for Los Castillo in Taxco in sterling silver and 'pluma azteca' (Aztec feathers) from the 1950s/60s.

#loscastillotaxco #salvadorteran #design #plumaazteca #sterlingsilver #pendants #mexicansilver #jewelrydesign #handmade #midcenturymexico