Whimsical 1960s Los Castillo Bee Pitcher With Malachite & Silver Inlay

Details

Description

A delightfully charming 1960s Los Castillo silver-plated pitcher that feels as if it fluttered straight out of a magical Taxco … Read more A delightfully charming 1960s Los Castillo silver-plated pitcher that feels as if it fluttered straight out of a magical Taxco garden. Crafted in brass and richly silver plated, this sculptural little creamer is wrapped in beehive-like rings and features a wonderfully playful three-dimensional bee—complete with a translucent amber-toned body and delicately hand-formed silver wings.

The handle blooms with the signature artistry of Los Castillo, showcasing joyful malachite, lapis, and mixed-stone inlay in a floral motif that instantly identifies the piece as a product of Taxco’s golden age of Mexican mid-century silver design.

Stamped with an early hallmark—Los Castillo, Plateado, TA-01—this piece was handcrafted in the renowned Los Castillo Silversmithing Studio, a workshop founded in 1939 by Antonio, Jorge, Justo, and Miguel Castillo. Trained under William Spratling, Antonio Castillo helped spark a design movement that transformed Taxco into the world capital of artisanal silver, celebrated for its whimsical forms, stone inlay, and innovative mixed-metal techniques.

This pitcher embodies that joyful spirit: imaginative, handcrafted, and unmistakably Taxco.

Dimensions
Height: 4.50 in. (11.43 cm)
Width: 4.25 in. (10.79 cm)
Depth: 3.25 in. (8.26 cm)

About Los Castillo;
Founded in 1939 by brothers Antonio, Jorge, Miguel, and Justo Castillo, the Los Castillo workshop emerged from the influential design movement initiated by William Spratling. Antonio Castillo trained directly under Spratling before founding the family studio, which quickly became known for its innovative approach to Mexican silver, mixed metals, repoussé work, and stone inlay.

During the 1940s–1970s, Los Castillo helped define Taxco’s golden era of silversmithing, producing collectible designs that blended Mexican heritage, organic forms, and mid-century modern aesthetics. Their pieces remain highly sought after by collectors, interior designers, and enthusiasts of Mexican decorative arts. See less