Vintage Los Castillo Taxco Silver Vase with Abalone Inlay
This is a vintage Los Castillo silver-plated vase from Taxco, Mexico, featuring abalone shell inlays and a hammered texture. The vase has a wavy silver band encircling the body, accented with round abalone inlays. The base is stamped “HECHO A MANO,” “MEXICO,” “LOS CASTILLO,” “TAXCO,” and “PLATEADO,”
The vase reflects the mid-century Taxco silver tradition, blending modernist design with Mexican folk art influences. In good condition with minor surface marks and tarnishing consistent with age. The abalone inlays are secure, and the hallmark remains legible.
Los Castillo is one of the most important and influential silver workshops in Taxco, Mexico. It was founded in 1939 by the four Castillo brothers — Antonio, Javier, Miguel, and Francisco Castillo — after they trained under William Spratling, the American architect and designer credited with reviving Taxco’s silver industry in the 1930s.
Antonio Castillo initially worked for William Spratling at his workshop, Taller de las Delicias, which was instrumental in reviving Taxco’s silverwork tradition.
Inspired by Spratling’s combination of modern design and indigenous Mexican motifs, the Castillo brothers left Spratling’s workshop in 1939 to open their own silver studio, Los Castillo.
The early pieces from Los Castillo were heavily influenced by pre-Columbian and indigenous Mexican art, with motifs drawn from Aztec and Mayan designs.
Expansion and Influence (1940s–1960s)
Los Castillo quickly gained a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and innovative designs.
They became known for use of mixed materials like abalone, onyx, malachite, and turquoise. Silver inlay work and intricate repoussé (hammered) designs. Animal and nature motifs inspired by Mexican folk art.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Los Castillo became a leading name in the Mexican Silver Renaissance, alongside other prominent Taxco silversmiths like Antonio Pineda and Hector Aguilar.
They expanded beyond silver into mixed-metal and enamel designs, experimenting with copper, brass, and alpaca (a nickel-silver alloy).
Recognition and Global Influence (1960s–1970s)
Los Castillo pieces were sold in high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus and collected internationally.
The workshop won multiple design awards and gained attention for its craftsmanship and innovative use of natural materials.
The brothers often worked with well-known designers and artists to create limited-edition pieces.
During this period, Salvador Castillo (marked as “S. Castillo” on some pieces) became more involved in production, and the use of the “S. CASTILLO” hallmark began appearing more regularly.
SKU: 10-0149
