Photograph: masv29 on eBay

The following is taken from the seller’s description:

This beautiful necklace was all hand crafted. It is composed of twenty nine panels and the central piece. The central piece is made out of several small pieces. The upper part has a round carved green stone set in silver. It has a half silver dome in the front part where a triangular shaped piece is attached. This piece is made with the married metal technique and has several stripes made of brass, copper, silver and iron. From the lower part, nine large drop shaped pieces hung. This piece measures: 3 ¼ X 1 7/8 in. The panels are made of two wire silver circles which have soldered on each side a “U” shaped brass wire and a straight piece of copper wire is soldered in the middle of them. Each one measures: 5/8 X 3/8 in. sizes may slightly vary as all the pieces are handcrafted. All the panels are joined together by silver bands. The clasp is in perfect working condition and is of hook.

For more information and to make an offer:

MARRIED METALS & GREEN STONE DECO NECKLACE LOS CASTILLO US $1,200.00 Auction Ends: Friday Aug-13-2010 10:03:46 PDT   | Watch this Item

Vintage Los Castillo married metals Deco style necklace originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on July 28, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

In a true case of having a champagne taste and a beer budget, I am madly in love with this Los Castillo gold vermeil bracelet mentioned in the blog:

Photograph: VandM.com

See larger image Mexican Silver: Modern Handwrought Jewelry & Metalwork (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Hardcover) By (author) Penny C. Morrill, Carole A. Berk List Price: $59.95 USD New From: $38.00 In Stock Used from: $43.99 In Stock

Dealer’s blog features some beautiful examples of vintage Taxco jewelry originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on July 27, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

Ten beautiful vintage Mexican silver bracelets and cuffs originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on July 21, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

Photograph: J Levine Auction & Appraisal LLC

Lot 61: Sterling Jewelry Lot with Necklace, Bracelet, Ring & 2 Earrings
Auctioneer’s Description:

Necklace is marked ATI 925 Mexico, measures 15″ with a 3″ opening. Bracelet is marked Mexico 925 and measures 2-3/4″ wide x 6-1/2″ diameter with a 1-1/8″ opening. Ring is a size 7 and marked 925 Mexico. Both earrings are clip and marked 925. 148 grams. Minimum bid:  $25. Estimated Price: $75 – $150

Photograph: J Levine Auction & Appraisal LLC

Lot 34: Los Castillo Taxco Hand Wrought Sterling Serving Tongs
Auctioneer’s Description:

These tongs are signed Los Castillo Taxco, Sterling Mexico, Hand Wrought 140. Measures 10-1/2″ long x 2-1/8″ wide. 119 grams. Minimum Bid: $ 25. Estimated Price: $75 – $150

Photograph: J Levine Auction & Appraisal LLC

Lot 290: Signed Taxco Sterling & Turquoise Money Clip
Auctioneer’s Description:

Signed Taxco sterling & turquoise money clip in great condition. Minimum Bid: $ 20. Estimated Price: $100 – $150

Photograph: J Levine Auction & Appraisal LLC

Lot 356: Lot Of Mexican Sterling Grouping /Taxco & More

Auctioneer’s Description:

Lot Of Mexican Sterling Grouping, Taxco, Earrings, and pins all in great shape. Minimum Bid: $ 20. Estimated Price: $75 – $150

More information:  J Levine Auction & Appraisal LLC or Artfact

See larger image Silver Masters of Mexico, Hector Aguilar and the Taller Borda: Hector Aguilar and the Taller Borda (Hardcover) By (author) Penny C. Morrill List Price: $49.95 USD New From: $17.55 In Stock Used from: $12.56 In Stock

Vintage Mexican silver auction July 18 includes Los Castillo and jewelry originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on July 12, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

This auction ends soon (July 11th). Here’s part of the seller’s description:

…brilliantly designed Martini shaker by Los Castillo Taxco featuring a leaning pitcher and the most amazing bird handle imaginable. This pitcher includes its rare original spoon. The quality of this metal work is of the highest caliber. The pitcher and spoon are silverplate. The bird appears to be copper. Both the spoon handle and the back of the bird are inlaid with a turquoise or malachite material. Both the pitcher and spoon are marked TAXCO LOS CASTILLO HAND WROUGHT. The pitcher measures about 10 1/2″ tall, the spoon is about 12″ long, and the bird handle is about 7 1/2″ long.

This eBay seller has 100% positive feedback. eBay Buyer Protection covers items purchased on eBay with eligible payment methods that are not received or not as described in the listing, so you can shop with confidence.

Auction for Los Castillo cocktail shaker with very cool bird handle originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on July 10, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

Two vintage Los Castillo silver pitchers with parrot handles (looks like the stones are lapis or azurite or malachite) are included in Christie’s Interiors auction, sale 2327, on June 24-25 in New York.

Auctioneer’s description:

TWO SIMILAR MEXICAN HARDSTONE-MOUNTED SILVER-PLATED PITCHERS,
MARK OF LOS CASTILLO, TAXCO, 20TH CENTURY
Lot Description
TWO SIMILAR MEXICAN HARDSTONE-MOUNTED SILVER-PLATED PITCHERS,
MARK OF LOS CASTILLO, TAXCO, 20TH CENTURY
The larger 10½in. (26.5cm.) high (2)
Special Notice
This lot is offered without reserve.

The estimate for the lot is $ 400 – $ 600.

Contact Christie’s for more information.

Interested in more vintage silverware or silver jewelry by Los Castillo?

Lot of two Los Castillo parrot pitchers to be auctioned in June originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on June 8, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

Photograph: Rago Arts and Auction Center

Auctioneer’s description of Lot 152:

MODERNIST MEXICAN SILVER PLATE; Six pieces with inlaid azurite/malachite by Los Castillo, Taxco; covered bowl with ball finial, #301; candlestands, #601; sugar and creamer on tray, #106; Tallest: 5”.
Estimate $500 – $600;  Starting Bid $250

More details and information about bidding online or in person at Rago Arts

If you’re interested in seeing more Los Castillo silver with inlaid stone, take a look at the pitcher highlighted below. It is offered by Lauren Stanley Gallery of New York, which specializes in museum quality silver and usually has a really fine selection of pieces by William Spratling and other Mexican silver maestros. This Los Castillo silverplate pitcher with inlaid lapis lazuli and malachite is available through the Gallery’s eBay store.

Auction ahead: Los Castillo modernist silverplate set originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on June 7, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

Photograph: Rago Arts and Auction Center

Lot 1412 (shown above), “CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN SILVER JEWELRY,” consists of eighteen pieces including brooches, pendants, rings, bracelets and a necklace, all with various stones. Artists include Tono, Los Castillos, Sigi, Ballesteros, etc. 320.7 gs., necklace 16″ x 3/4″ Estimate: $200 – $300; starting bid $100.

Photograph: Rago Arts and Auction Center

Lot 1413 (shown above), “MEXICAN SILVER JEWELRY,” includes 38 pieces, mid- to late-20th c.: Marciela rooster pin, suite marked PSC Taxco, eagle #3, J.E. poison pin with obsidian, assorted brooches, earrings, rings, necklace, 453 gs.” Estimate: $200 – $300; starting bid $ 100.

Descriptions are from auctioneer. For information:
Lot 1412
Lot 1413

A fab auction for collectors of vintage Mexican silver jewelry originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on June 5, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Art Nouveau movement sought to remove the barriers between the fine and applied arts. Traditionally art had been separated into the distinct categories of fine art (painting and sculpture) and applied arts (ceramics, furniture, and other utilitarian objects). Propenents believed that art should be part of everyday life, and that even the most practical objects should not be overlooked by art. This was a radically new approach to art, and thus the name New Art.

As noted in Wikipedia, Art Nouveau is “characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms.”

One of the most successful expressions of the Art Nouveau style was jewelry. Using the sensuous organic forms of Art Nouveau, jewelers such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, Karl Fabergé, René Lalique, Georges Fouquet (to name a few) created extraordinarily beautiful and original jewels inspired by nature and mythology.

Art Nouveau was on the wane by the time Fred Davis arrived in Mexico City and after World War I gave way to more rational styles such as Art Deco. Still, a number of the famous designers of Mexican silver jewelry working in Taxco and other parts of Mexico during the 20th century (including Margot de Taxco and Los Castillo) were inspired by the elegance, sensuality, flamboyance of Art Nouveau and created magnificent pieces of jewelry reflecting the best attributes of Art Nouveau.

A few pieces of vintage Mexican silver jewelry in the Art Nouveau style are currently up for auction on eBay:

For more information about Art Nouveau, a good place to start is the Art Nouveau section of the Google Directory.

Art nouveau design in vintage Mexican silver jewelry originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on June 4, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.

Photo: Braswell Galleries

 Auctioneer’s description:

Sale 1049 Lot 471
MEXICAN STERLING AND MIXED METAL BOWL ON STAND: By Chato. The ring based bowl with inlaid mixed metal Maya style figures. The stand with inlaid key motif. Bowl H. 4.75, Diam. 11.” The stand H. 2.25, Diam. base 5.” Approx. 30.85 Troy ozs. Note: Scratches iniside the bowl. Minimum bid $ 2,000. Estimate $ 4,000-6,000

More information at Braswell Galleries or Artfact.
Read more about Chato Castillo and Los Castillo at Carole A. Berk, Ltd.

See larger image Mexican Silver: Modern Handwrought Jewelry & Metalwork (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Hardcover) By (author) Penny C. Morrill, Carole A. Berk List Price: $59.95 USD New From: $38.00 In Stock Used from: $43.99 In Stock

Auction tomorrow – vintage Chato Castillo mixed metals bowl on stand originally appeared on Vintage Mexican Silver on May 15, 2010. Turn to Vintage Mexican Silver for the latest news about auctions and dealers in vintage Mexican silver jewelry and silverware, including mid-century modern and modernist design, William Spratling, Margot de Taxco, Los Castillo, Sigi and Antonio Pineda, Matl, Hector Aguilar, and other famous Mexican silver designers.