1960s Los Castillo Taxco Silver Plate & Malachite Lidded Bowl, Mexican Modernism

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Description

A striking vintage Los Castillo lidded bowl from Taxco, Mexico, combining sculptural Mexican metalwork with richly colored natural malachite stone … Read more A striking vintage Los Castillo lidded bowl from Taxco, Mexico, combining sculptural Mexican metalwork with richly colored natural malachite stone inlay. Crafted from solid copper with a silver-plated finish, the bowl features a beautifully hand-worked, lobed body with a broad geometric band of individually fitted green malachite panels encircling the upper portion.

The rounded, almost floral form is particularly sculptural, with overlapping repoussé-like sections creating depth and movement across the highly reflective silver-plated surface. A fitted domed lid with spherical finial completes the design. The contrast between the luminous silver surface and the deep green, naturally variegated malachite gives the piece a distinctly luxurious Mexican Modernist character.

Los Castillo occupies an important position in the history of 20th-century Mexican silver and the Taxco silver renaissance. The workshop was established by the Castillo brothers—Antonio, Jorge, Justo and Miguel—after they left William Spratling's influential Taller de Las Delicias in 1939 to establish their own atelier.
Their work helped carry the Taxco movement beyond traditional silversmithing, combining modernist forms with Mexican craft traditions, hand-worked metals and decorative materials. Los Castillo became especially recognized for adventurous combinations of metal with stone and other inlaid materials, an approach beautifully represented by this bowl.

For interior designers, architects and collectors, this piece works exceptionally well as a sophisticated decorative object on a console table, cocktail table, credenza, bookshelf or executive desk. Its compact proportions also make it particularly useful for layered interiors, where an important piece of Mexican Modernist decorative art is desired without overwhelming the surrounding composition. The saturated malachite provides a strong organic counterpoint to the polished silver surface and works particularly well in interiors incorporating stone, bronze, brass, lacquer or richly figured woods.

The underside retains the original workshop markings reading “Hecho en Mexico / TA-01 / Plateado / Los Castillo / Taxco,” confirming its manufacture by the celebrated Taxco workshop. The designation Plateado is consistent with the silver-plated construction rather than solid sterling silver.

Condition: Vintage condition with normal wear consistent with decades of age and use. The silver-plated surfaces retain an attractive reflective finish with scattered scratches, surface wear and areas of oxidation/tarnish. We have not observed significant loss to the silver plating. The natural malachite inlay displays variations in color, veining and surface character inherent to the material and handmade construction. Please refer closely to the photographs for condition.

Dimensions: Approximately 4.25 in. H × 5 in. diameter

An excellent example of Los Castillo Taxco metalwork, this decorative lidded vessel would make a compelling addition to a collection of Mexican Modernism, Taxco silver, William Spratling-era design, Antonio Castillo, Margot de Taxco, Antonio Pineda, Mexican decorative arts, malachite objects, or mid-century Latin American design. See less