Vintage Mayan / Aztec Los Castillos-Style Divorced Metals Wall Sculpture Art Plaque Active

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Vintage, mid century, "Divorced Metals"/ Chato Castillo (Taxco)-style mixed metal and turquoise on wood board wall sculpture in a Mayan/Aztec … Read more Vintage, mid century, "Divorced Metals"/ Chato Castillo (Taxco)-style mixed metal and turquoise on wood board wall sculpture in a Mayan/Aztec motif. No artist signature or markings are found on this plaque, so it is not clear if this is a Los Castillos piece although, due to the rarity of these items, it is likely that it was made in Taxco, where much of the metal work was being produced in the mid century era. Such "divorced metal" works on wood board were an inventive way that Jorge de Chato Castillo, one of the Los Castillo family members known for their silver smithing in Taxco, Mexico, displayed his use of mixed metals including his own alloy called Rex (alloy of silver, brass and copper). In "Divorced metal" works, metals are chosen for their color and applied to dark wooden plates with the metal pieces slightly raised to appear as if floating on the plate. This technique was a contrast to "married metals" in which metals were combined in jewelry pieces directly next to one another or inlaid. Popular ancient Mayan and Aztec motifs were popular subjects at the time and this one is no exception. Here a Mayan priest holds and chats with the prized and revered Quetzal bird, whose legend as the king of birds is famous in Central America. This plaque measures 12" x 9 1/2" x 1" and is in very good condition. Nice item to hang on its own or as part of a gallery wall. See less