1960s Los Castillo Taxco Parrot Pitcher Tea Set Silver Plate Hardstone - 4pcs

Details

Description

An exceptional four-piece modernist serving set designed and produced by Los Castillo of Taxco, Mexico, circa 1960s.

This sculptural set … Read more An exceptional four-piece modernist serving set designed and produced by Los Castillo of Taxco, Mexico, circa 1960s.

This sculptural set includes a large parrot-form water pitcher, creamer pitcher, lidded sugar pot, and matching ladle, each featuring beautifully stylized parrots perched along the vessels. The birds are meticulously crafted with white hardstone panels and brass beaks and eyes, creating a striking contrast against the richly patinated silver-plated surfaces.

The vessels themselves are formed in hammered copper with silver plating, a technique commonly employed by the celebrated Taxco workshop to create dramatic texture and depth. Over time the surfaces have developed a warm patina that highlights the handcrafted nature of the pieces.

Founded in the 1930s by Antonio Castillo, Los Castillo became one of the most influential silversmith workshops in Taxco and is widely respected among collectors of Mexican modernist silver and decorative arts. Pieces from this workshop are sought after by collectors and interior designers alike for their distinctive sculptural forms and exceptional craftsmanship.

With its playful parrot motif and strong sculptural presence, this set functions equally well as functional barware or as decorative objects displayed on a console, bar cart, or dining table vignette.

Each piece retains the original workshop hallmark reading:
“Los Castillo – Taxco – Plateado (Silver Plate)”

A striking example of mid-century Mexican design that will appeal to collectors of Taxco silver, Los Castillo works, and modernist decorative objects.

Measurements

Large Pitcher
11 in. high
7.5 in. wide (including handle)
5.5 in. deep

Creamer Pitcher
5.5 in. high
3.5 in. wide (with handle)
2.75 in. deep

Sugar Pot
4 in. wide
4 in. deep
4.5 in. high

About Los Castillo

The Los Castillo workshop was founded in Taxco, Mexico by Antonio Castillo, one of the most influential figures in the history of Mexican silver design. Antonio Castillo was originally one of the master designers working under William Spratling, widely regarded as the founder of the modern Taxco silver movement in the 1930s.

After leaving Spratling’s workshop in the late 1930s, Antonio Castillo established Los Castillo, which quickly became one of the most respected silver ateliers in Mexico. The workshop became known for its innovative modernist designs, sculptural forms, and exceptional craftsmanship, often combining silver with materials such as stone, shell, wood, and enamel.

During the 1950s–1970s, Los Castillo produced some of the most distinctive decorative objects and tableware emerging from Taxco, blending traditional Mexican craftsmanship with modernist aesthetics. Today, Los Castillo works are highly sought after by collectors of Mexican modernism, Taxco silver, and mid-century decorative arts. See less