1970s Rare Los Castillo Tripod Vase With Malachite, Lapis, Azurite & Turquoise Inlay

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Description

An exceptional vintage Los Castillo Taxco Mexican vase, designed and handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico, circa early to mid-1970s. Rich in … Read more An exceptional vintage Los Castillo Taxco Mexican vase, designed and handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico, circa early to mid-1970s. Rich in sculptural detail, color and symbolism, this remarkable decorative vessel exemplifies the innovative metalwork and stone-inlay techniques for which the celebrated Los Castillo workshop became internationally recognized.

The vase is crafted from solid brass with a silver-plated finish and features an elaborate mosaic composed of richly colored natural stones, including malachite, lapis lazuli, azurite and turquoise. The irregular pieces of stone create a dramatic field of deep greens, blues and mineral tones that wraps continuously around the upper portion of the vessel.

Set against this mosaic background are finely executed figural inlays depicting an ancient Aztec or Pre-Columbian ceremonial scene. Stylized figures wearing elaborate headdresses appear alongside ceremonial vessels and birds, creating a narrative composition inspired by Mexico's indigenous artistic heritage. The contrast between the polished metal figures and richly textured stone mosaic gives the piece exceptional depth and visual presence.

Perhaps the most unusual feature is the vase's three large spherical bell-form feet. These hollow silver-plated spheres contain sounding elements and produce a gentle bell or rattle-like sound when the vessel is moved or shaken. This unexpected kinetic and auditory element adds a playful dimension to the design, transforming the vase from a purely decorative vessel into an engaging piece of Mexican functional sculpture.

The underside retains the original workshop hallmark reading “LOS CASTILLO / TAXCO / HECHO EN MEXICO / 403.”

Los Castillo was founded in Taxco in 1939 by Antonio Castillo and his brothers, becoming one of the most influential workshops associated with the extraordinary renaissance of 20th-century Mexican silversmithing. Antonio Castillo had previously worked in the workshop of William Spratling, the designer and entrepreneur widely credited with helping revive Taxco's modern silver industry and establishing the town as an internationally important center for Mexican decorative arts.

Los Castillo went on to develop a distinctive design vocabulary independent of Spratling, combining traditional silversmithing techniques with Mexican Modernism, Pre-Columbian and Aztec imagery, mixed metals and colorful indigenous stones. The workshop became particularly celebrated for inventive combinations of silver, brass and copper with malachite, turquoise, lapis lazuli, azurite and other semi-precious stones, creating objects that blurred the boundaries between decorative art, sculpture and functional design.

This vase is a particularly compelling expression of that aesthetic. The combination of Pre-Columbian ceremonial imagery, jewel-like stone mosaic, polished silver-plated metal and sounding bell feet gives the piece a distinctly sculptural quality while remaining unmistakably rooted in the great Taxco tradition.

For interior designers, architects and collectors, the compact scale and strong visual presence make this Los Castillo vessel an exceptional accent for a console, cocktail table, credenza, library, bookshelf, pedestal or curated tabletop collection. The saturated greens and blues of the natural stone complement interiors incorporating travertine, walnut, parchment, lacquer, bronze, brass and other natural materials.

Its sophisticated combination of Mexican history and 20th-century design makes it especially suited to Mid-Century Modern, Mexican Modernist, contemporary, eclectic and Latin American–focused interiors. It would also make a strong addition to a collection of works by William Spratling, Los Castillo, Hector Aguilar, Margot de Taxco and other important figures associated with the golden age of Taxco design.

A highly decorative and unusual example of vintage Los Castillo Mexican metalwork, distinguished by its extensive natural stone mosaic, Aztec-inspired figural decoration and whimsical three sounding bell-form feet.

Maker: Los Castillo
Origin: Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico
Period: Early to mid-1970s
Model / Design Number: 403
Materials: Silver-plated solid brass, malachite, lapis lazuli, azurite, turquoise and mixed natural stone inlay
Style: Mexican Modernist, Mid-Century Modern, Pre-Columbian Revival

Measurements: 6 in. H × 6.50 in. W × 6.50 in. D at widest points.
Mouth: 4 1/8 in. diameter. See less