Los Castillo - Taxco - Mexico

Modernist brass belt buckle with inlaid stones

2 1/8" x 1 3/16"

Good vintage condition with minor wear to lacquer finish

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Though it is not uncommon to find Mexican silver fur pins, it is usually single pieces that are available. Here, however, there is a pair bearing the signature of the Los Castillo in a “bow and flower” design. I am not sure if the workshop ever made a whole parure available in this specific design - I have had the small bow necklace / bracelet sets in the past but this is an enhanced version, with more elements added to the bow and the bow itself bigger and fancier...

A fabulous example of Taxco modernism by Los Ballesteros, this vintage Mexican silver and amethyst bracelet is as beautiful to look at as it is comfortable to wear. A couple of days ago I presented another creation by the same workshop and I will suggest that the two pieces are representative of their line of medium-width modernist link bracelets...

A substantial sterling silver chain composed of doubled rings, bars and beads with connecting links; there is a central ring for attaching a pendant, or the chain can be worn as is. The secure box clasp bears what appears to be the maker’s mark of Beto, as pictured in Bille Hougart’s Mexican silver marks book, third edition, p. 27. The eagle 22 is the most legible mark; the others are not entirely clear. The chain measures 27 ½ inches long, unclasped. Weight: 38 grams

A pair of William Spratling Silver earrings with central balls surrounded by wide circles. These earrings were in the 1943 catalog and come from the 1st design period.

Measure 1 1/4" across and 1 1/2" high including the screw back. Marked on the back of one screw back with the conjoined WS and Spratling Made in Mexico. The other has Spratling Silver on the back. Screw backs hold securely. Have some tarnish and minor scratches...

A fanciful and fabulous early vintage Brooch by the important Taxco silver artist Antonio Pineda in the shape of a pea pod filled with three oval black Onyx peas at the center. Measures 3 1/2" long by 7/8" wide and weighs 23.7 grams. Hallmarked with the Antonio Taxco Crown, Silver, Sterling, 970, Mexico, PZ 571 and the eagle stamp 17. Light age related wear and tarnish with a pin closure. A unique and special piece.

This is a 970 SILVER ANTONIO TIE BAR with a piece of MALACHITE centrally set on the Bar. Overall length is 2 1/8". Nicely marked on the back ANTONIO TAXCO within the CROWN LOGO and 970 (see jpg for additional info. Circa 1950 with light Silver scuffs. This is a most Desirable ANTONIO 970 TIE BAR

A rare glass advertising store display for William Spratling.

Measures 5 3/4" long, 3" high and 1/2" deep at the bottom. Wedge shaped.

Design is chiseled into the back. In fine condition with some very minor nicks at the edges. The marks in the photo are reflections. Has the WS script logo.

Great addition for the Taxco sterling collector.

A pair of hard to find William Spratling silver earrings with a ruffled silver band adorned with silver beads. These earrings are from the 1st design period. They are pictured on page 54 of Morrill and Beck's book, "Mexican Silver".

Measure 1 3/4" across and 2" high including the screw backs. Marked Spratling Silver on the back of each screw back. They are sterling silver or better. The screw backs hold securely. The earrings have some tarnish and minor scratches...

This is the "Bar Braid Pin" by Hector Aguilar featured on page 150 of the book SILVER MASTERS OF MEXICO by Penny C. Morrill. She dates it circa 1940 and it is in 940 silver. Measuring 2 7/8" by 1/2", it weighs 13 grams and is in fine original condition. Signed as shown. One of his very famous designs.

A substantial, Pre Columbian design 950 silver bracelet from Taxco, Mexico by the noted silversmith Roman Chavarrieta, who was known to work for Plateria Emma.

Signed R. Chavarrieta, Taxco, Mex and 950 which is better than sterling. Measures 7 1/2" long and 1 3/8" wide. Has two hook clasps that hold securely.

Deep incised design. Heavy silver. Early piece.

An inspired lapidary and an ingenious designer Felipe Martinez opened his workshop “Piedra y Plata” in 1950. His work is a testament to his exceptional talent and his commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and the use of choice materials. I love all his jewelry but I believe that he was at its best working within the confines of modernism which he enriched with references to Mexico’s archeological past...

Large vintage circa 1930's sterling silver belt buckle designed by William Spratling, executed and signed by Artemio Navarrete. Navarrete was Spratling's first master silversmith and trained other silver artisans in Spratling's early Taxco, Mexico work shop. The buckle measures 2" X 2" and will accommodate a 1 1/4" wide strap. Weight - 20 grams or .8oz. Hallmarked on reverse conjoined AN, 980 and TAXCO. This design is pictured on Phyllis Goddards' excellent website spratlinsilver.com...

This Mexican Silver necklace is hallmarked with an ms conjoined, Taxco, Sterling and an eagle 3 as shown. It is very outside of what I would normally acquire. Lighter than my average acquisitions, it is solid with no repousse and is 30 grams in weight. Very comfortable as it feels lighter than air. The minute I saw it worn I was convinced that it was very special. Dramatic at 7 inches long and 4 inches across the presence is commanding...

Fun and perfect for this summer - especially if you decide to stay away from beaches! - this mod sterling silver "fish with air bubble" necklace by Los Castillo comes out of the workshop's "onix negro" line of jewelry. I find this technique fascinating - it poses a big challenge to the lapidary's and silversmith's abilities as the onyx slab has to be carved out precisely to the dimensions of the sterling inlay that will be set in it...

The most charming Damaso Gallegos set of bells consisting of earrings and a brooch. This set is fabulous for the holiday season. The set weighs 12grams for the earrings and 17 grams for the brooch. The brooch is 2in. tall and the earrings are 1.25in.

The "Aztec Roses" motif is a classic for Mexican silver cuff bracelet from the Deco period. They are usually executed en repoussage, come in all widths and configurations and the most "famous" ones are signed by Sanborn's and Maciel. The impressive in heft and presence example I am presenting here differs from most in that its repousse work is closed in the back with an additional sheet of sterling...

A repousse bracelet worked with great skill and signed JVE. A nice size being 1.25in. wide and approximately 40 grams of heavy repousse. The length is 7.25in. of comfort with no damage. The floral motif is on a thick silver base.

One of Salvador Teran’s original designs that is difficult to find especially in the form of earrings, the “crouching man” is also a favorite of mine. Its rarity makes copies by Salvador's contemporary maestros avidly sought after and I am happy to present here an example by “3m”, a Taxco workshop known for emulating the renowned modernist’s work. Sterling silver, amethyst and strategically applied oxidation combine in this modernist interpretation of an ancient Aztec motif. The ear...

Maestro Mateo is mostly known for his brutalist rings and his work spans the 1980 divide. Most of his pieces that were made after 1980 are wrought in 950 silver, which almost became the norm in Mexican jewelry during that period. Finding a ring of his from the 1960s-70s is a real treat but the excitement is even greater when one comes upon a pendant bearing his signature, and an early one at that! If my memory serves me well, this is the second Mateo pendant that I have had in all my years of bu...

A modernist sterling silver brooch with a baroque pearl by Sigi Pineda. Design number 81. Measures 3" long and 1 1/4" across. Marked on the back Sigi Tasco, Hecho en Mexico, Sterling, 81, and Eagle #3. Safety rollover clasp holds securely. In very nice condition. Has a little tarnish and minor surface scratches. There is a place on the front edge where you can feel the hallmark stamp from the back. It was stamped too close to the edge. Not really noticeable, but wanted to call it. A very ...

Early Victoria (c.1940 - #69) 980 silver pin with turquoise showing an amusing dog sticking out his tongue wearing a turquoise collar. It is signed "#69 980 VICTORIA TAXCO MADE IN MEXICO" and is in excellent condition. The pin measures 1 7/8" by 1 1/2" and is of good weight. Great early piece by Victoria.....$9 USA insured shipping.

Large obsidian and sterling brooch constructed so that the two materials marry flawlessly by LEDESMA, Mexico, c.1955. Pin measures 2 3/4" by 1 14/" and is signed "LEDESMA MEXICO TAXCO 925SF 280 (bellmark)3". Obsidian and silver in excellent condition.......$14 for insured US shipping.

A vintage Mexican silver and amethyst large brooch reminiscent of the work of Antonio Pineda and Hubert Harmon. Has a large carved amethyst stone as the face and amethyst cabochons at the end of each earring.

Signed Mexico Silver in an oval. Pre Eagle, (pre 1949). Measures 2 1/2" across and 4 3/4" high.

The silver repousse work is in fine condition. Has a rollover safety clasp that holds securely. The brooch has some minor tarnish. The amethyst face has some occlusions and a hairline cra...

A vintage silver repousse cuff bracelet with a central carved onyx mask. Two silhouettes of Pre Columbian warriors facing the mask which is surrounded by a repousse of an animal with the mouth opened. Measures 6 1/4" around with an opening of 1". Measures 1 5/8" wide. Coin silver or better. Fine condition. Pre Eagle, ( pre 1948).

Two pair of vintage sterling silver screw back earrings by Margot de Taxco, ( Margot Van Voorhies Carr), number 5740, in a modernist dangle design and number 5410 with swirls and beads. May purchase both pairs or each pair individually.

The dangle earrings measure 1 7/8" high and 3/4" across. Marked Made in Mexico Sterling, Margot de Taxco and 5740. Also marked with Eagle #16. Screw backs hold securely. Very nice condition with only minor tarnish.

The second pair measure 1 1/8" long and a...

It is always exciting when I stumble upon a Mexican chain necklace made of polished, tumbled hard-stones caged in sterling silver. When that example happens to be from the pre-1948 period, I am elated! Made up of various agates and black onyx, maybe even a jasper here and there, the necklace at hand is perfect for the winter, its colors warm and cozy yet somewhat subdued , mirroring the dormant nature all around. The necklace measures 30 1/2” long with its stone widths varying between 1/2” ...

A vintage modernist clamper bracelet from Sigi Pineda, Taxco Mexico. Two beveled ends meet in the center. Measures approximately 7" around. Marked Hecho en Mexico, Sigi Tasco, Eagle #, Sterling and with a design number 406. In fine condition, has a few scratches. Spring hinge closes tightly. Nice weight. High quality piece.

An early sterling silver large, heavy brooch or fur clip by Los Castillo in the shape of a flower.

Marked Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Made in Mexico and design #460C. Has a patent number on the back of the clip. Measures 3 1/4" long and 2 1/2" across. Fine condition, some minor scratches to the surface and tarnish.

Heavy and substantial. Classic design.

A Mexican sterling silver necklace and bracelet set by Artemio Navarrette. He was a master silversmith who worked for William Spratling, later producing jewelry under his own name. This 2 pc. set consists of the 7" length bracelet and the matching 15-1/4" length necklace. Each has a hook and eye clasp, they are made out of domed cutout 11/16" across segments. Both bracelet and necklace are stamped STERLING 925 and HECHO EN MEXICO TAXCO with what looks like a a joined AV maker's mark - it is a...

This is a beautifully executed, thick silver bracelet that is 1in. wide on the side panels. The piece weighs 29.7 grams and has an airy cut out design and features an amethyst cabachon. It is slightly sizable and fits a 6.5in. to a 7in. the best. Marked Silver Mexico which dates the piece to pre-1948. This example of early Taxco silver work is a classic and displays an aura of elegance to those who gaze upon it.

Surrounded by the headless body of a coiled serpent the bezel-set turquoise adorning this Carmen Beckmann ring is one of the most visually interesting specimens of the stone I have recently seen. The variations in its green color in combination with the off-whites and the intense matrix come together in a way that suggests a mountainous landscape, dark boulders looming in the back, green grass still covered with patches of snow here and there. This is not elaborate, fussy design - the materials ...

What a wonderful Rafael Dominguez brooch this is. It is 2 inches long and 1.25 wide. The weight is 8.3 grams. The silver is thick and hand carved. I wore this as a closure for a scarf and it was stunning. Collector quality and MORE.

A rare pendant by Sigi Pineda of a detailed Pre Columbian figure in sterling silver currently suspended from a sterling neck ring.

Pendant measures 1 5/8" across and 2" high. Weighs 23 gr. Thick sterling. The sterling neck ring measures about 18" around and has a secure hook clasp. Has a large bale so could also be worn on a thick chain or cord.

Pendant is marked with the Sigi script hallmark, Mex and 925. Has another partial Mex on another place at the back. The neck ring is ma...

Seamlessly marrying sterling silver and stone, Enrique Ledesma created some of Taxco’s classiest modernist jewelry. The specific bracelet with its curved, sculptural “cut pyramid” links is set with warm, mossy azur-malachite in which browns and greens are prevalent. Perfect for the season the bracelet measures 6 1/2” in inner circumference (clasped) and it's 15/16” wide. It weighs 51.9 grams and is marked with maker’s signature as shown as well as “PLATERIA CORTES”, “HECHO EN ...

A vintage stunning sterling silver bracelet by Plateria FarFan from Mexico in a geometric puzzle design.

Marked on the back Hecho en Mexico 925 D. F. around FarFan.

The bracelet measures about 7 1/2" long and 1 1/4" wide. Has a box clasp that snaps securely. Has some tarnish. The bracelet has a few links that are slightly bent. Not really noticeable when worn. Heavy and well constructed. Weighs a total of about 61 gr. Pre eagle, (pre 1948).

Classic early geometric design.