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.
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