Sign in

Los Castillo Taxco

@loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
113 followers 107 following 176 posts

The works of the Los Castillo taller in Taxco, Mexico - including the works of the four founding brothers, and their children, and close relatives.

PostsRepliesMedia
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 2h
A magnificent Los Castillo Taxco Margot design sterling silver & amethyst Mexican Art Deco floral Orchid design necklace circa 1940s. #loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexicansilver #margotdesign #taxco #1940s #sterlingsilver #amethyst #necklace #orchid #design #artdeco #mexico #mexicanjewelry #plata
010
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
A magnificent Los Castillo metales casados mosaico azteca Aztec Chieftain & Quetzalcoatl design tazza tray/artwork circa 1980s - measures 15.5" diameter! #loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillodesign #taxco #metalescasados #mosaicoazteca #tray #artwork #art #mexicandesign #AztecChieftain #Quetzalcoatl
A magnificent and very rare vintage 1980s handmade metales casados and mosaico azteca Aztec Chieftain design decorative tazza tray created by Antonio Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco. A highly stylized Aztec Chieftain figure and the Aztec Dragon aka Quetzalcoatl, formed in metales casados (married metals) and surrounded by mosaico azteca (mosaic stone inlay), all set in a silver-plated tazza tray form. The metales casados figures have incised details, and the chieftain has inlaid stone in his feather headdress. 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 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 40+ years in the business! This one is azurmalachite (blue-green-brown stone), the other one was all azurite (blue stone). Measures 15.5" diameter by 2.75" high at rim, and weighs 6 pounds. Marked at back as shown in my photos, design number "777", also "Plateado Hecho en Mexico Los Castillo Taxco TA-01".
031
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A lovely handmade sterling silver and carved coral cameo Mexican Art Deco locket pendant necklace designed by Margot van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco - circa 1940s. #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #margotdesign #carved #coral #locket #pendant #necklace #mexicanjewelry #taxco #artdeco #art
I'm guessing this pendant is from the late 1940s 1946-47, just before the advent of the Eagle mark system in 1948. It's no doubt one of Margots later designs for Los Castillo just before her divorce from Antonio Castillo. A romantic possibly antique carved coral cameo, I'm guessing of Italian origin, overtop a hinged compartment for a photo of a loved one. Remember, this was either at the end of or just after the Second World War, and romantic tokens were all the rage! Probably special-made at a customer's request who more than likely supplied the coral cameo, possibly from an antique necklace or pendant originally.

Measures 2-3/8" tall by 1-1/2" wide by 5/8" at thickest point, and hangs on a later-added sterling chain. Marked "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Made in Mexico" at back.
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A humongous one of a kind wall-hanging sculpture by Los Castillo of Taxco - measures 36.75” tall by 26.5” wide!! Dimensional design in metales casados, encrusted with gemstone and shell inlay, depicts a pre-Columbian figure. #loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillotaxco #art #sculpture #taxco #mexicanart
Entirely handmade ‘metales casados’ (copper, brass, silver) with mother of pearl and turquoise inlay all laid down on an ebonized black wood background.
Depicts a seated Aztec or Mayan chieftain or priest with elaborate and dimensional ‘feather’ headdress and jewelry.
These oversized incredible works of art from the final days of Los Castillo circa late 1980s to 1990s were undoubtedly designed by Antonio Castillo and produced by him and his workmen in Taxco.
The largest and most elaborate example that I've seen. The pinnacle of this art form created by Chato Castillo in the 1940s, and fine-tuned and perfected by his brother Antonio Castillo over the course of 50 years!
071
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A very large handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco floral Flower design brooch from Los Castillo circa 1940s. #handmade #repoussage #sterlingsilver #flower #brooch #pin #LosCastilloTaxco #mexicansilver #mexicanartdeco #artdecodesign #artdecosilver #taxco #jewelrydesign #wearableart #art #plata
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A lovely sterling silver and glass necklace and brooch by Los Castillo. The necklace designed by Margot, the fish brooch by Antonio Castillo. #loscastillotaxco #handmade #margotdesign #mexicansilver #antoniocastillotaxco #taxco #sterlingsilver #glass #necklace #brooch #pin #1940s #wearableart
Antonio Castillo and Margot van Voorhies were an incredible design team as well as a happily married couple! She had great ideas, and he knew how to translate them into actual jewelry pieces. Together they produced the wonderful exotic ornate artworks characteristic of the first decade of Los Castillo.

The examples shown are a necklace design number 456 by Margot, and a brooch design number 514 by Antonio. Both pieces have 1940s Los Castillo marks ie "Los Castillo Sterling Made in Mexico Taxco" along with their respective design numbers.

These items sold June last year at Heritage Auctions in Texas for $1500 including the buyers premium. The new owner is a very lucky person! A rare and absolutely stunning necklace that I've only seen once before! I've seen the brooch a number of times, but this lovely shade of turquoise blue glass in Los Castillo jewelry isn't common.
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
A huge one of a kind Chato Castillo sterling silver and carved jade Olmec Warrior design pin brooch c. 1940s - measures 4-3/8" tall by 3-1/8" wide! Available... www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #OlmecWarrior #precolumbianjade #ChatoCastilloTaxco #mexicansilver #wearableart #brooch #pin
A one of a kind vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver and carved pre-Columbian jade Olmec Warrior design brooch by Chato Castillo of Los Castillo from early in his career in Taxco. Entirely handmade hammered from behind, the sterling silver has been shaped using the repoussage technique to form the dimensional design, then hand etched at front, and with applied silver balls and a dangling fringe at the bottom. No doubt Chato, who was a long time collector of pre-Columbian artifacts like his brother Antonio, and his former employer, William Spratling, created this brooch to house this amazing ancient artifact in hand-carved jade object. Most likely originally worn by a pre-Columbian ball player as a badge of honor or rank. (See my last photo for a similar ceremonial 'hacha' from Veracruz circa 600 CE.) A beautiful pale yellow-green colored jade with slight color variations, and what the Chinese call 黃玉 (Huángyù), meaning "yellow jade". A very rare design that I haven't seen before or since, and according to the classic, "Mexican Jewelry" (1963) by Mary Davis and Greta Pack, speaking about Chato and his jewelry, "...In the few jewelry pieces that he makes...his pieces are all one of a kind..." (p.195). Measures 4-3/8" tall by 3-1/8" wide at front, and weighs a substantial 81.2 grams or nearly three ounces total weight! Marked at back as shown, "Sterling Chato Mexico" and design number "2", which makes this one of his earliest numbered designs. Tested and guaranteed to be as described. Could be easily converted to be worn as a pendant with a slip-on pendant converter that slips over the pin stem. Excellent vintage condition.
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Antonio Castillo who founded Los Castillo with his brothers and his wife Margot (de Taxco) in 1939, passed away on May 25, 2000. His children carry on the tradition of silver excellence in Taxco. Here’s a belt buckle by him from the last 20 years of his life #loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillodesign
Very much in the style of his brother, Chato Castillo, this ‘jaguar’ design belt buckle uses the ‘metales casados’ technique with four shades of metal, light and dark silver, brass, and copper, and with black onyx and tortoiseshell inlay. Circa 1980s.

In the last 20 years of his life, 1980-2000, Antonio Castillo continued his innovations in silver art with new works in amber, carved stones, and his dynamic settings of pre-Columbian ancient artifacts, of which he was a world renowned expert and collector.
040
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
An iconic Los Castillo 'metales casados' (copper, brass, silver) and stone inlay 'eye' Mexican modernist Aztec Bird design three-part tray by Chato Castillo c. 1950s. #loscastillotaxco #metalescasados #marriedmetals #chatocastillodesign #taxco #mexicanmodernism #AztecBird #design #tray #mcm #art
An iconic Los Castillo 'metales casados' (copper, brass, silver) and stone inlay 'eye' Mexican modernist Aztec Bird design three-part tray by Chato Castillo c. 1950s. 
Designed by Chato Castillo and produced by Los Castillo in a variety of sizes, and with different colors of stone inlay in the 'eye'. One of my favorite all-time designs by Chato! Entirely handmade so each is unique, just a little different from all the others. Not a rare design, I have 7 or 8 in my collection including one made by Antonio Castillo's granddaughter, Lily, and I see them for sale often online. Marked with the usual 1950s Los Castillo marks, and design number 42.
041
Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco
Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
A super rare 'Metales Castillo' bracelet in sterling copper and brass and centering a pre-Columbian jade bead at top c. 1950s - design by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo Taxco. Available.... www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #metalescastillo #mexicanmodernism
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 1500-2000 years old! Excellent vintage condition.
0115
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
A rare 'metal pintura' Mexican modernist fishermen design brooch by Chato Castillo c. 1950s. #chatocastillotaxco #metalpintura #paintingwithmetal #mexicanmodernism #modernistjewelry #handmade #loscastillotaxco #taxco #design #modernism #midcenturymexico #mexicandesign #hechoamano #hechoenmexico
The steel is given a deep blue almost purple coloring at front, and brass wire is inlaid into the steel to outline the design. The technique was used in jewelry and objects including artworks by Chato.
PLEASE NOTE: NEVER clean examples of this type of work by Chato or Los Castillo unless you are very sure what you are doing. They are made out of steel, and will rust if cleaned incorrectly. Also, the blue-ing is very easily removed by overzealous cleaning!
A rare vintage 1950s Chato Castillo blued steel with brass inlay Mexican modernist Fishermen with dangling Fish design brooch - charming design of three fishermen in a boat with three dangling fish below - Chato called this metalworking technique ‘metal pintura’ (painting with metal) - this example was cut out of steel then given a bath in chemicals that gave it that dark peacock blue/purple sheen at front, and with inlaid brass wire to outline the design - I’ve posted other examples with variations in the technique here on my Chato Castillo page, so take a look for further details - marked as shown, “Chato Castillo Taxco Mexico” with Chato’s ‘Perfil de Perico’ mark (based on his famous award-winning Cubist Parrot design from 1953), and design number 1 (the very first !?!) - measures roughly 2” wide by 2” tall, and weighs 12.8 grams total.Chato always signed with his full name "Chato Castillo" or "Made by Chato" or with his "Perfil de Perico" (Cubist Parrot) mark shown at back of this brooch. Most pieces attributed to Chato for sale online on sites like eBay Poshmark etc are not by Chato. I'm seeing the same thing with pieces attributed to Los Castillo by sellers hoping and dreaming but not doing proper research on their pieces. Unfortunately, eBay and other sites don't enforce their own rules anymore, and fraudulent claims have proliferated. Caveat Emptor! Buyer beware!
030
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
#loscastillotaxco #handmade #precolumbian #mayanmask #design #brooch #1950s #mexicansilver #taxco #taxcosilver #margotvanvoorhies
010
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A rare sterling and turquoise pre-Columbian figure applied on an ebonized wood plaque artwork by Los Castillo circa 1950s. #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #mexicansilver #handmade #precolumbianfigure #mexicanmidcentury #taxco #art #sculpture #loscastilloart #mexicandesign
The figure depicted is a high-ranking priest or aristocrat with bracelets, anklets, necklace, ear decorations, and an elaborate head decoration. He is cut from sheet silver, then given incised line details and small turquoise stone decoration. The figure is attached to an ebonized wood backing with hanging fixture at back. Also signed "Los Castillo Taxco" at back with an applied round silver plaque.

Likely a variation of the 'metales divorciados' (divorced metals) technique invented by Chato in the late 1940s, no longer 'divorciado' and with incised line and stone embellishment. Chato was always inventing and refining his techniques, and this variation no doubt gave birth to the great number of similar works produced by the Talleres Monasticos and Emaus Benedictine monk workshops in Cuernavaca. TM and Emaus sold their works through Los Castillo in the beginning, first as anonymous suppliers, and later signing their work as independent workshops. In the 1980s and 90s, Antonio made a great number of pre-Columbian figure artworks, and this is an intermediate point in the evolution of the form from its 'metales divorciados' birth to the elaborate and dimensional wall sculptures produced by Antonio in the last two decades of his long and illustrious career.
060
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Three Piece Coffee Set metales casados (married metals) silver, brass, copper Wolmar Castillo Taxco, Mexico Wolmar is the son of Antonio Castillo, one of the founders of Los Castillo in Taxco, and his sister is Emilia Castillo. #handmade #metalescasdados #wolmarcastillo #loscastillotaxco #taxco
Three Piece Coffee Set
metales casados (married metals)
silver, brass, copper
Wolmar Castillo
Taxco, Mexico

Wolmar is the son of Antonio Castillo, one of the founders of Los Castillo in Taxco, and his sister is Emilia Castillo.

I have to believe that this wonderful set is a tribute to his uncle, Chato, using Chato's 'metales casados' technique, and his geometric 'patchwork' pattern in the metals, but with a new and unique form to the pieces. A masterwork!
030
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Los Castillo 'plateado' and malachite Maize design box c. 1980s - with a Mexican rosewood interior! The design at top of the box depicts Zea Mays (corn), the cereal grass domesticated in Mexico thousands of years ago. #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #box #art #design
Los Castillo 'plateado' (plated) and malachite Maize (aka corn) design cigarette box c. 1980s - with a Mexican rosewood interior!
Silver-plated brass with malachite stone inlay.
The design at top of the box depicts 'Zea Mays' (aka corn in the US and Canada), the cereal grass domesticated in Mexico thousands of years ago.
The seller's description below shows great insight and sensitivity to the designs of Los Castillo, although sometimes dipping a little into grandiosity and exageration...
"There are jewelry pieces. And there are pieces by Los Castillo. The difference is not only one of quality — it is one of intention.
This box for storing jewelry or valuables, numbered with the distinctive stamp of the Taxco workshop — Los Castillo Hand Wrought, Hecho en México — belongs to that category of objects where craft and art cease to be distinguishable.
The number 361 is not a minor detail: numbered pieces by Los Castillo represent a limited and controlled production, intended for collectors and those who knew what they held in their hands.
The lid is the heart of the piece. Across the silver-plated surface, a row of stylized corn plants
- traced with a silversmith's precision and filled with malachite inlays — unfolds the visual vocabulary that made the workshop celebrated: motifs of pre-Hispanic origin translated into the language of modern design with a fluency that very few achieved. The corn is not decoration: it is symbol, it is identity, it is Mexico condensed in metal and green stone.
The malachite, with its natural veining and color variations, adds depth and life to each form. No two pieces are identical — the material prevents It.
The interior holds one final surprise: a lining of rosewood, whose deep reddish tone and silky grain contrast with the coolness of the metal. A quietly luxurious detail that reveals itself only when the box is opened."
Measures 0.79" tall by 4.34" wide by 7.68" long.
The box is for sale on 1stDibs.com
040
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Two versions of the same design - (l) the Chato Castillo prototype, and (r) the Los Castillo production version. Both feature a 'metales casados' Snake amid stone inlay of contrasting color. #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #snake #box #mexicanmodernism #mexicandesign #art
Two versions of the same design - (l) the Chato Castillo prototype, and (r) the Los Castillo production version.
Both feature a 'metales casados' Snake amid stone inlay of contrasting color. The prototype has green stone 'pebble' inlay, and the production version has flat mosaic inlay azurmalachite in resin.
There are small differences in the design, notice the 'rattler' at the snake's tail in the Los Castillo production version, a refinement that Chato must have added after making his original prototype.
Both are roughly 7" across by 4.5" deep by just under 1" high around the rim. The boxes have raised corner 'feet' on the underside, and wood inlay interiors.
The Chato box is marked "Chato Castillo" with his 'peril de perico' mark, and "Taxco Mexico".
The Los Castillo production version is marked with the usual period Los Castillo marks, "Los Castillo Taxco", "Handwrought", "Hecho en Mexico", and design number 346. 
Both boxes are constructed primarily of brass with the metales casados and stone inlay design in the lid, and with wood lined interior. Both the Chato prototype and the Los Castillo production versions have the marks silvered so that they stand out against the brass body. A fascinating detail.
According to "Mexican Jewelry" by Davis and Pack, Chato's signed pieces are mostly one of a kind. Many of his designs, particularly the 'metales casados' aka 'metales Castillo' married metals jewelry and objects went into production by Los Castillo. Same for his 'pluma azteca' (Aztec Feathers) pieces, but many of his pieces were never produced by Los Castillo, at least not marked as such.
030
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
A large vintage 1980s 90s Los Castillo Taxco Antonio Castillo Designer handmade 'metales casados' and 'mosaico azteca' Aztec Warrior Chieftain wall plaque sculpture. #loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillodesign #metalescasados #mosaicoazteca #wall #plaque #sculpture #mexicanart #art #mexicansculpture
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.
040
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
An iconic Los Castillo handmade metales casados wood and stone 'smoking' box by Chato Castillo c.1970s #handmade #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #mosaicoazteca #metalescasados #smoking #box #mcm #midcenturymexico #modernism #mexicanmodernism #hechoenmexico #taxcosilver #chatocastillodesign #taxco
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!
030
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
A very early design by Margot van Voorhies (aka Margot de Taxco) for Los Castillo in Taxco circa late 1930s - hand crafted in 980 silver and set with a large jelly opal in the dangle - measures over 3" tall! #loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #980silver #jellyopal #brooch #mexicansilver #artdeco #art
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
050
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
A rare Los Castillo 'metales casados' necklace with a bezel-set ancient pre-Columbian stone 'head' at center - no doubt a Chato Castillo design circa 1950s. #loscastillotaxco #handmade #metalescasados #marriedmetals #necklace #precolumbian #stone #chatocastillodesign #midcenturymexico #wearableart
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.
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
A very rare likely one of a kind 'metales casados' (married metals) Harlequin geometric design ring by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo of Taxco - size 10.5 US Available.. www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #metalescasados #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #harlequin #wearableart #art
A unique vintage 1950s 60s one of a kind handmade sterling silver and four color 'metales casados' (married metals) Mexican modernist Harlequin geometric design ring designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo of Taxco. Exceptional artistry only accomplished by Los Castillo at the height of their glory in the 1950s and 60s! The ring is hand fabricated solid sterling silver with a thin layer of four-color metales casados (copper, brass, light and dark silver) laid overtop covering all of the outside surfaces, but the sterling is visible on the inside of the band. The only example of this design that I have seen in my 45+ year career, and without a doubt a one of a kind creation, and designed by Chato who also invented the 'metales casados' metalworking technique among many others over the course of his career in Taxco! Measures 1-1/8" long at top by 15/16" wide, size 10-1/4 to 10-1/2 US, and weighs 15.5 grams total. Marked inside band as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle above "Mexico". Metales Casados pieces were rarely if ever marked 'sterling" as they involved heaping portions of other metals in the decorative technique. Tested and guaranteed to be as described. As noted above, this is a one of a kind creation designed, and perhaps made by, Chato himself for his family business Los Castillo in Taxco. You'll never see another! Excellent vintage condition.
071
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
A sleek vintage 1950s Los Castillo Taxco 'mosaico azteca' handmade sterling silver & azurmalachite inlay Mexican modernist ring - size 8.5 US! Available.. www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #sterlingsilver #mosaicoazteca #stoneinlay #ring #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #wearableart #art
'Mosaico Azteca' was Los Castillo's name for the inlay of tiny pieces of stone into a resin base in channels in the silver of the jewelry item being produced. Chato Castillo invented this particular type of inlay in the 1940s, based on ancient pre-Columbian models (primarily Aztec), and it was much copied for decades after!
040
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
A large modernist sterling silver 'bird' pin/pendant designed by Salvador Teran for Los Castillo between 1948 and 1952 - measures 3" tall! #salvadorteran #loscastillotaxco #handmade #sterlingsilver #Eaglemark #taxco #taxcosilver #mexicanmodernism #mexicandesign #mexicanjewelry #mexico #pin #pendant
Los Castillo was a powerhouse of Mexican modernist design in silver in the midcentury!
Titans of silver jewelry design at Los Castillo included Antonio Castillo, Chato Castillo, Margot van Voorhies, Salvador Teran, Miguel Melendez, Enrique Ledesma, and the list goes on! 
Constructed using the silver overlay technique which is two layers of silver with the top layer cut-thru and laid over the bottom layer with the recesses oxidized black and the upper layers polished brightly to contrast.
Marked at back "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the earliest Eagle mark 15, also marked "Sterling Mexico".
This brooch was designed by Salvador Teran for Los Castillo sometime between 1948 (when they began using Eagle marks) and 1952 when Salvador left Los Castillo to open his own workshop. A wonderful example of his earliest design work!
Measures 3" tall by 2" wide, and weighs 32.2 grams total.
Not sure exactly which species of bird is depicted, but I'm guessing some kind of tropical bird with an elongated beak.
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
A Los Castillo 'metales casados' (married metals) and abalone shell inlay triangular Mexican modernist Lobster design footed dish - designed by Chato Castillo. #handmade #metalescasados #loscastillotaxco #lobster #dish #abaloneinlay #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #metalart #art #hechoenmexico
A 1960s/70s Los Castillo 'metales casados' (married metals) and abalone shell inlay triangular Mexican modernist Lobster design footed dish - designed by Chato Castillo.

Measures about 6" by 4".
Marked "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle.
"Handwrought", "Hecho en Mexico", and design number 264. 

#handmade #metalescasados #loscastillotaxco #lobster #dish #abaloneinlay #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #metalart #art #hechoenmexico
060
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A rare cufflink design by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco - geometric design in three color metales casados - marked at backs as shown - each measures 1" by 1" square. #loscastillotaxco #handmade #metalescasados #marriedmetals #chatocastillodesign #geometric #cufflinks #wearableart #art
Compare the front with the back.
The metales casados design was created using a thin layer of the married metals that was then soldered to the underlayer of solid sterling silver.
The marks include an early style Eagle mark which means this item was created between 1948-1953 approx.
No design number given, and the only example of the design that I've run across, so I'm guessing very rare perhaps even one of a kind pair.
051
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
A one of a kind Los Castillo 'Cicada' metales casados (married metals) pendant that rattles when worn - Chato Castillo c. 1940. #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #taxco #metalescasados #marriedmetals #cicada #chicharra #sonido #pendant #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #wearableart #art #c1940
050
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A spectacular Los Castillo sterling silver and amethyst drops necklace with matching earrings, and a sterling and amethyst ring c. 1980s. Marked with the circular "Los Castillo Taxco" mark, also "Sterling Mexico". Antonio Castillo design. #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #sterlingsilver #amethyst
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Mr. Mauricio Overhole won a scholarship to study silversmithing in Mexico in 1954. He came to Taxco with his family to the workshop of Jorge "Chato" Castillo and stayed for a year. Shown below in front of a table full of Chato's work! #chatocastillo #taxco #mexicansivler #mexicandesign #loscastillo
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
A very large 1940s Chato Castillo floral brooch in sterling silver - marked as shown in the second photo - measures 4.75" tall by 2-1/8" wide, and weighs 36 grams. #handmade #sterlingsilver #chatocastillodesign #loscastillotaxco #taxco #mexicansilver #floral #brooch #mexicanjewelry #1940s #pin #art
050
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
¡Pericos! (parrots) #aretesespeciales #piezasdemuseo #platerialoscastillo #loscastillo #taxco #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #orfebreriaespecial #joyeriafina #tallerdeplateria #piezasespecialesenplata #tallerdejoyeria #tallerdeorfebreria #pericos #parrots #pin #earrings #set #jewelrydesign #silver
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
A Los Castillo advertisement from the 1980s showing a set of mixed metal, married metals, and pre-Columbian stone jewelry items. Shown is the necklace, a ring, and a pair of earrings. The stone pieces are genuine Mayan relics. #loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillodesign #handmade #mexicansilver #taxco
020
Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco
Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
A 1950s three-color ‘metales casados’ sterling copper brass Mexican modernist bracelet from Los Castillo in Taxco. Available... www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #loscastillotaxco #bracelet #metalescasados #marriedmetals #mcm #midcenturymexico #chatocastillodesign #mcm #wearableart #art
0142
Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco
Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
An iconic vintage 1980s Los Castillo Taxco handmade 'metales casados' & azurmalachite Mexican modernist Toucan pin pendant designed by Antonio Castillo. Available.. www.rubylane.com/item/1879775... #handmade #loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillodesign #toucan #pin #pendant #mexicansilver #taxco #art
An iconic vintage 1980s Los Castillo Taxco handmade 'metales casados' & azurmalachite Mexican modernist Toucan pin pendant designed by Antonio Castillo.

The 'metales casados' (married metals) technique was developed by Chato Castillo in the 1940s. It involves the solder-less joining of different metals to create jewelry and objects. Although it was created by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco, many other silversmiths and designers 'borrowed' the technique for their own creations over the years. However, the works from Los Castillo are in may opinion the best for design and craftsmanship! And they are the originals!
0132
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Large taza tray by Los Castillo in 'metales casados' with azurmalachite mosaic inlay with a pre Columbian hunting scene c. 1980s. Measures 15.5" diameter by 2.5" high. Designed by Antonio Castillo. Post 1980 marks. #loscastillotaxco #antoniocastillodesign #taxco #metalescasados #art #mexicansilver
A very large and quite rare vintage 1980s handmade metales casados (married metals) and mosaico azteca mosaic stone inlay) 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 40+ 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".
040
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Los Castillo silverplate and stone inlay covered sugar bowl and spoon with a pelican holding a fish in its beak at top. #loscastillo #pelican #fish #fishingbird #loscastillotaxco #handmade #silverplate #stoneinlay #sugarbowl #spoon #mexicansilver #mexicandesign #c2000s #contemporary #design #art
030
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Sterling silver backs with brass and enamel fronts in a design of an eagle devouring a snake, the image from the ancient Aztecs and adopted by modern Mexico as their national symbol in their flag! #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #handmade #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #wearableart #art
060
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Los Castillo 'mosaico azteca' and sterling brooch design 272 circa 1950s in a design of an abstracted Conch shell. Mosaico Azteca is a mosaic stone inlay technique invented by Chato Castillo in the 1940s inspired by ancient Aztec stone settings. #handmade #loscastillotaxco #mosaicoazteca #pin #art
091
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
A 'zorrita' (little fox) pitcher by Los Castillo in silver-plated brass or copper with moonstone 'eyes'! A contemporary version entirely hand crafted! #loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexicansilver #taxco #zorrita #pitcher #art #mexicancraft #craft #design #mexicandesign #contemporary #taxcosilver
040
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
At left the brooch, at right the necklace. Both 'onix negro' set in sterling silver designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco circa 1950s. Rare design number '45'. #loscastillotaxco #onixnegro #chatocastillodesign #1950s #taxco #mexicansilver #modernism #art #sterling #blackonyx #design
060
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Cockatoo salad bowl silver, brass, shell inlay contemporary Los Castillo Taxco, Mexico #handmade #silver #brass #shellinlay #mixedmetals #cockatoo #saladbowl #mexicansilver #mexicandesign #taxco #mexico #guerrero #silverart #plateria #silversmith #metalsmith #mexicancraft #contemporary #birds #art
050
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Iconic 'metales divorciados' artwork by Chato Castillo circa 1950s depicting the foundational myth of the Aztecs. The Aztec (Mexica) were told to build their city where they saw a golden eagle perched on a cactus, devouring a rattlesnake. #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #taxco #tenochtitlan
020
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
A 'metales casados' and 'onix negro' modernist figural Woman in Profile design pendant from Los Castillo - a collaboration between Chato Castillo and Stella Popowski. #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillo #stellapopowski #pendant #modernistjewelry #wearableart #onixnegro #metalescasados #art #modernism
040
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Silver-plated and carved stone Snail pitcher by Los Castillo of Taxco. #loscastillotaxco #handmade #silverplate #carvedstone #mexicansilver #mexicandesign #art #craft #figural #design #mexicancraft #silversmith #metalsmith #taxco #taxcosilver #loscastillosilver #loscastillocraft
081
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Super rare Los Castillo handmade 'Parrot' design 'Pluma Azteca' (Aztec Feathers) tie bar circa 1950. #loscastillotaxco #metalescasados #metalescastillo #plumaazteca #chatocastillodesign #parrotdesign #tiebar #tieclip #handmade #feathers #mixedmetals #mexicansilver #wearableart #art #taxco #design
A super rare design by Chato Castillo for his family firm, the Plateria Los Castillo in Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico.
Chato and his brothers at Los Castillo were greatly inspired by the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica (Mexico).
Especially by their arts and architecture, and the culture that these implied.
In pre-Columbian cultures, feathers were considered sacred treasures, often more valuable than gold, representing divine power, high social status, and a connection to the spiritual realm. They were crucial in religious rituals, adorned the elite, and symbolized wisdom, strength, and the ability to connect with the heavens. 
Chato drew from this to create his 'Pluma Azteca' metalworking technique where he encased real feathers within a metal frame to showcase their vivid coloring, and hearkened back to the ancients.
In this example, the feathers are used to represent the intense colors of a parrot. The feathers are inlaid into the metal section, that has been riveted rather than soldered to protect the integrity of the feathers, but the feathers in this example are open to the air, not encased in resin like in later examples.
The 'beak' and 'eye' of the parrot was made using Chato's 'metales casados' (married metals) technique which he later  re-named 'Metales Castillo' for copyright purposes.
The married metals technique is basically the joining of different metals (copper, brass, and silver in this instance) without using solder. It is an extremely time consuming technique that requires the exact fitting of the different metal pieces without any open space between them, and was practiced by only the most expert of master silversmiths in Taxco. 
Measures 2-1/4" across by 1-3/8" wide, and weighs 15.9 grams.
Marked "Los Castillo Taxco", "Pluma Azteca", "Hecho en Mexico", and design number "1". Los Castillo often started a new series of design numbers with a new technique used, and this is no doubt the first in the Pluma Azteca series, making it both rare and significant.
090
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
A handmade brass with azurmalachite stone inlay 'Cactus' cabinet or furniture hardware decorative plate by Los Castillo in Taxco circa 1960s/70s era. #loscastillotaxco #handmade #decorativeplate #furniture #drawers #doors #cactus #brass #azurmalachite #mexicancraft #taxco #metalarts #art #mexico
050
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
An example of the Aztec stone mosaic technique that inspired Chato Castillo to create his 'Mosaico Azteca' mosaic stone inlay technique for jewelry - the resulting jewelry was very popular, and copied by hundreds of other Mexican metalsmiths! #chatocastillo #mosaicoazteca #loscastillotaxco #taxco
030
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Invented by Chato Castillo, and called by Los Castillo 'metal pintura' - inlaid silver into a patinated steel ground. Jazz musicians - c. 1940s. #loscastllotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #metalpintura #silverinlay #patinatedsteel #jazzmusicians #1940s #art #handmade #artwork #mexicandesign #modernart
Invented by Chato Castillo, and called by Los Castillo 'metal pintura' - inlaid silver into a patinated steel ground.
Chato was a great designer, an innovative metalsmith, and a great lover of jazz music.
This artwork portrays a saxophonist, piano player, and string bass player.
030
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Two examples of a 1940s Los Castillo sterling silver brooch design number 477. Left example with opals, right with tigereye. Both marked "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Made in Mexico 477" Both are 3.25" tall by 3" wide. #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #artjewelry #art #jewelrydesign
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".
A lovely 1940s Los Castillo design, and these are the only two examples of it that I've seen.
070
Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Comparison... the famous Chato Castillo design 'Perfil de Perico' or 'Cubist Parrot' VS an ancient Maya carved stone 'parrot head' c.600-900 CE from Xochicalco - there is no doubt that Chato was aware of the pre-Columbian originals, and they were an inspiration! #loscastillotaxco #perfildeperico
020