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patrickkapty.bsky.social
A fantastic Carmen Beckmann Mexico sterling silver with applied copper flowers and prong-set carved amethyst 'frogs' bracelet circa 1960s - fits a 7" wrist!

Available..

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #mixedmetals #amethyst #frogs #flowers #bracelet #carmenbeckmann #mexicansilver #art
Frogs among the flowers! In pre-Columbian cultures, frogs and flowers were deeply sacred symbols that represented fertility, the cycle of life and death, divine connection, and cosmic balance. Rather than being viewed as mere natural objects, they functioned as a complex visual and spiritual shorthand across Mesoamerican and Andean civilizations.
November 2, 2026 at 12:52 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A striking Los Castillo 'esmalte a fuego' sterling and enamel Mexican modernist pre-Columbian Spiral design necklace circa 1948.

#loscastillotaxco #esmalteafuego #sterlingsilver #enamel #necklace #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #1950s
Maker: Los Castillo, Taxco, Mexico Period: circa 1940s pre Eagle Metal: Sterling silver Decoration: Deep cobalt blue opaque vitreous enamel Technique: Esmalte a Fuego (fired enamel) Design number: 110 Length: 15-1/2 inches Construction: 27 articulated links joined by silver rings Closure: Secure tongue-and-groove clasp Weight: 51.7 grams Marks: Los Castillo (partially worn and indistinct), Made in Mexico, 110, Sterling (partially stamped), and Esmalte a Fuego There is no Eagle mark, so this piece was made pre-1948.
November 1, 2026 at 5:37 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A superb Los Castillo Taxco Chato design sterling silver 'onix negro' Mexican modernist pre-Columbian Parrot design bracelet circa 1950s.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #mexicansilver #taxco #onixnegro #preColumbian #parrotdesign #1950s #mexicanmodernism #design
A superb vintage 1950s handmade sterling silver and 'onix negro' (black onyx) Mexican modernist pre Columbian Parrot design bracelet created by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco. Entirely handmade hand wrought solid sterling silver with a bezel-set onix negro stone at top into which is inlaid silver wire in a modernist take on an ancient pre-Columbian Parrot Glyph design most likely of Maya or Aztec origin. The Parrot glyph is repeated again at either end of the bracelet at the closure using the silver overlay technique where two layers of silver are laid over each other with the upper layer cut-thru in the design, and the recesses created are then oxidized black to make the design stand out. Parrots and macaws were deeply sacred in Mesoamerica, serving as living symbols of the sun, fire, and divine messengers connecting the earthly and spiritual realms. Because of their vibrant colors and ability to vocalize, parrots were believed to bridge the gap between humans and the gods, carrying prayers up to the sky. Live birds and their feathers were restricted to royalty and priests. Rulers and elites used the feathers to adorn sacred objects, ceremonial capes, and elaborate headdresses to project divine power. Chato Castillo designed this bracelet and most of the 'onix negro' jewelry and objects along with much else, and he invented this unique to Los Castillo metalworking technique that they called 'onix negro' for black onyx combined with shiny silver, a high-contrast combination! The bracelet measures 1-3/8" wide at top, and fits up to a 7.5" wrist (snugly) presently, and could be sized by a professional by adding rings or other spacers at the hinged joints if desired. Weighs a hefty 75.2 grams total. Marked inside as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15, "Onix Negro", and design number 60. This is only the second example of this design that I've seen in my 45+ year career, so definitely a rare one! Excellent vintage condition.
October 31, 2026 at 3:34 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
An iconic Mexican modernist handmade sterling silver and carved tortoiseshell 'Jaguar' brooch designed by William Spratling in the 1950s, this example made later - measures 3.5" across by 2.5" tall!

Available - dm for info.

#WilliamSpratling #MexicanSilver #handmade #sterlingsilver #Jaguar #brooch
Spratling first went to Taxco to study its architecture in 1926, and returned in the early 1930s to establish his first business there. He hired local silversmiths to complete his designs, and his workshop was responsible for starting the careers of many who became the greats of Mexican jewelry and silver design in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s. Spratling was inspired by pre-Columbian art and many of his designs reflect this influence including this one. William Spratling died in 1967 as the result of a car crash outside of Taxco, but his legacy lives on through the efforts of Violante Ulrich and her sister Consuelo. Their father, Alberto Ulrich, was a close Spratling friend and supporter. Ulrich took over the Spratling enterprise after Spratling's death to keep it going and his daughters are also committed to this. Many of Spratling's designs were re-issued for decades after his passing by this enterprise. This example was made by one of the silversmiths that worked for William Spratling during his lifetime, but made after his death circa 1980. Available - contact me direct via message, or message me thru my Ruby Lane shop (link on my profile page).
October 26, 2026 at 2:37 PM
venustare.bsky.social
We look at the finish first.
This is why this piece made the cut.

Shop the collection at venustare.com

#MexicanSilver #LuxuryLiving #DetailsMatter
Close-up of ornate silver relief work with floral scrolls.
October 24, 2026 at 7:30 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
Here's a contemporary Toucan silverplate and stone inlay sugar bowl with spoon by Los Castillo - the children and grandchildren of Antonio Castillo still create wonderful items superbly crafted!

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #silverplate #stoneinlay #Toucan #sugarbowl #taxco #mexicansilver
October 17, 2026 at 6:51 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A sculptural sterling silver coral pearls and 'raw' emeralds Mexican modernist Bird design pin pendant by Chato Castillo c. 1950s - measures 2.75" by 2.25", and weighs 25.6 grams.

#chatocastillotaxco #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #taxco #mexicanmodernist #midcenturymexico #modernistjewelry #art
Depicted here is a graceful and elegant long-billed shore bird, likely the Zarapito Americano (long-billed Curlew in the US). a migratory bird that can be found along the coasts of Mexico in the autumn and winter months. The brooch is constructed of sterling silver, and set with a single post-set coral bead 'eye', and with post-set pearls along one wing, and uncut emeralds prong-set on the other wing. Can be worn as a brooch pin, and as a pendant. Measures 2.75" across by 2.25" tall, and weighs a hefty 25.6 grams total. Marked at back as shown with design number "4", Chato's 'perfil de perico' (cubist parrot) mark, and "Chato Castillo Taxco Mexico 925". No eagle mark, but undeniably 1950s vintage. A rare design that I've only seen once before. Usually a design number signifies that a piece was made in multiples, not one of a kind, but the number of multiples at Los Castillo can be from single numbers to hundreds or even thousands for their most popular designs like Chato's 'perfil de perico' design that was made into pins, bracelets, earrings, cufflinks, belt buckles, bolo ties, and I've even seen a compact. Chato's multiples numbers are usually much smaller, and were made by him.
October 16, 2026 at 12:55 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A lovely set of handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco Tropical Bloom design brooch pin and earrings created by Margot for Los Castillo in Taxco c. 1940s.

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #mexicansilver #artdecojewelry #floraldesign #sterling #brooch #tropicalbloom #mexicanjewelry #taxco #1940s
A lovely set of vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco floral design brooch pin and earrings by Margot Van Voorhies Carr for Los Castillo in Taxco, Mexico. Very pretty entirely handmade and curvaceous early design by Margot when she was married to Antonio Castillo in the early days of Los Castillo. Margot was the head designer there for most of the 1940s, and this set is a great example of the lushness of her sculptural design in the early days! The brooch measures 2.5" by 2". The earrings measure 1-1/8" by just under 1". Total weight for the set is 1.2 ounce or roughly 34 grams total. Marked as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Made in Mexico" with design number "723" on the brooch, and the earrings are marked with design number "721". From a local Tucson estate, and in such great shape after all these years! Excellent vintage condition.
October 13, 2026 at 10:51 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Two pairs of modernist sterling silver earrings
(left) Eigil Jensen for Anton Michelsen Denmark 1950s
(right) Jem Taxco 1980s

Both pairs available...

www.rubylane.com/shop/califor...

#handmade #modernist #earrings #sterlingsilver #eigiljensen #antonmichelsen #denmark #Jem #taxco #mexicansilver
October 9, 2026 at 7:05 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
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
October 8, 2026 at 6:05 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
An ornate sterling silver & amethyst Mexican Art Deco scroll & bead design ring c. 1930s - measures 7/8" by 7/8" at top, size 5.5 US!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #mexicansilver #artdeco #beadandscroll #design #sterlingsilver #amethyst #ring #ornate #oneofakind #taxco
October 6, 2026 at 3:09 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A bold sterling silver Mexican Art Deco bracelet designed by Margot van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco c. 1940s.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #sterlingsilver #mexicansilver #LosCastillo #Margotdesign #taxco #mexicanartdeco #plateria #mexicanjewelry #wearableartdeco
September 30, 2026 at 4:02 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
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.
September 30, 2026 at 3:31 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
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
September 27, 2026 at 3:46 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
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.
September 23, 2026 at 1:45 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
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.
September 20, 2026 at 4:05 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A gorgeous pair ‘metales casados’ Mexican modernist geometric hair combs pins by Ana Nunez de Brilanti for her shop Victoria in Taxco - measure 4" tall!

Available..

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #metalescasados #ananunezdebrilanti #VictoriaTaxco #mexicansilver #taxco #haircombs #art
A gorgeous pair handmade ‘metales casados’ Mexican modernist geometric hair combs pins designed by Ana Nunez de Brilanti for her shop Victoria in Taxco - each measures 4" tall! Chato Castillo and Ana Nunez de Brilanti were close friends, and she asked him to train her silversmiths in his ‘metales casados’ technique, which he did, and afterwards she designed jewelry and objects employing the technique, of which this is set is one example. Brilanti called her ‘metales casados’ line ‘metales’. A delightful abstract modernist design pair of hair combs that are easy to wear, and a rare design that you won’t see anywhere else!
September 14, 2026 at 5:43 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A stylized set of handmade ‘metales casados’ Mexican modernist Eagle Moon Shooting Star pin pendant and earrings by Ana Nunez de Brilanti for her shop Victoria in Taxco.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #metalescasados #AnaNunezdeBrilanti #VictoriaTaxco #mexicansilver #pin
Chato Castillo and Ana Nunez de Brilanti were close friends, and she asked him to train her silversmiths in his ‘metales casados’ technique, which he did, and afterwards she designed jewelry and objects employing the technique, of which this is set is one example. Brilanti called her ‘metales casados’ line ‘metales’. A figurative modernist design of a silver Eagle with an incised Crescent Moon for its eye, and a shooting star in copper at center. The eagle is the national animal of Mexico, and was also the symbol of the God of the Sun and War in the ancient Aztec Empire. This design draws on both the current (then) national figure, and the historical symbolism of centuries before in this intrinsically Mexican set of art jewelry!
September 14, 2026 at 6:05 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
An interlocking rings sterling silver Mexican modernist necklace by Eligio Contreras of Taxco c. 1980s.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #sterlingsilver #EligioContreras #taxco #mexicansilver #necklace #mexicanmodernism #biomorphic #wearableart #art #1980s #sculpturetowear
September 11, 2026 at 4:01 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A sculptural Los Ballesteros Taxco sterling silver Mexican modernist necklace c. 1980s - will fit up to a 16" neck!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #sterlingsilver #LosBallesteros #taxco #mexicansilver #necklace #mexicanmodernism #modernistjewelry #sculptural #silver #art
September 11, 2026 at 3:50 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
#loscastillotaxco #handmade #precolumbian #mayanmask #design #brooch #1950s #mexicansilver #taxco #taxcosilver #margotvanvoorhies
patrickkapty.bsky.social Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · Aug 31
A rare Los Castillo Taxco handmade repoussage sterling silver pre Columbian Mayan Mask design pin brooch c. 1950.

Available..

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #loscastillotaxco #sterlingsilver #brooch #pin #precolumbian #mayanmask #design #margotvanvoorhies #mexicansilver #taxco #silver
September 1, 2026 at 1:19 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A rare Los Castillo Taxco handmade repoussage sterling silver pre Columbian Mayan Mask design pin brooch c. 1950.

Available..

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #loscastillotaxco #sterlingsilver #brooch #pin #precolumbian #mayanmask #design #margotvanvoorhies #mexicansilver #taxco #silver
August 31, 2026 at 2:30 PM