Author | Lightnews

Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 2d

A big vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver floral motif fur clip designed by Margot Van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco - design number 621, measures 5" tall by 3"!

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #floral #margotdesign #taxco #mexicansilver #furclip #vintage1940s #sterlingsilver #wearableart #art

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Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 8d

A vintage 1940s Los Castillo handmade sterling silver and amethyst Royal Coat of Arms design brooch - measures 3.25" tall!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexico #royal #coatofarms #queenelizabeth #vintage1940s #marriage #princephilip #mexicansilver #pin

A dazzling vintage 1940s 50s handmade sterling silver and amethyst Royal Queen Elizabeth Coat of Arms design brooch created no doubt by Margot Van Voorhies for Los Castillo in Taxco. An elaborate and romantic design based no doubt on the arms of the Royal Princess Elizabeth just prior to her becoming the queen (see my last photo), probably around the time of her marriage in 1947 which of course was a worldwide celebration coming so shortly after the end of WWII. Entirely handmade hand-repoussage design in solid sterling silver, and centering two emerald-cut faceted prong-set natural amethyst of super rich intense color and very well-matched. This brooch was made pre-Eagle stamp, so 1948 at the latest, and may have been a special commission for a favored customer. I haven't seen it before, and there is no doubt that it is a very rare design. Measures 3.25" tall by 2-1/8" wide, and weighs 26 grams total. The stones each measure 15mm by 12mm, and are each in the range of 5-6 carats of lovely high-quality faceted richly colored natural amethyst. The best quality amethyst that I have seen in any Los Castillo piece, and probably anything from Taxco that I have seen as well! Amethyst is a naturally pleochroic stone, meaning that it can show more than one color especially in richly colored and faceted examples. These stones flash blue, violet, red, and purple, depending on the angle and intensity of the light source! Gorgeous! Unfortunately, this phenomenon is not visible in regular still photography, but I guarantee that the new owner will be pleasently surprised with the beauty of the stones. Marked at back as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle, and "Sterling Made in Mexico" in another circle beside design number "537". An incredibly beautiful brooch, and very rare! Excellent vintage condition.

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Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 8d

A very large Los Castillo Taxco vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco 'gazelle' design brooch - measures 3.5" across by 2.5" tall!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexico #artdeco #gazelle #brooch #mexicansilver #hechoenmexico #margot

A huge vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco Leaping Gazelle brooch designed by Margot van Voorhies Carr for Los Castillo in Taxco Mexico. At the time, Margot was married to Antonio Castillo, one of the four Los Castillo brothers that founded Los Castillo in the late 1930s in Taxco. Margot drew for many sources for her designs, particularly the Art Deco 'animalier' style in this case! A very large and particularly attractive brooch that makes a stunning statement when worn! Entirely handmade by the talented silversmiths at Los Castillo in Taxco in the 1940s, and one of Margot's iconic designs from that period! Measures 3.25" across by 2.5" tall, and weighs 18.1 grams total. Marked at back as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" In a circle, "Made in Mexico Sterling" in a circle, the Eagle 15, and design number "579". Excellent vintage condition.

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 12d

A medium size Los Castillo Taxco handmade 'metales casados' (married metals) abstract modernist tray - no doubt designed by Chato Castillo circa 1950s - measures 14" by 9.75".

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #metalescasados #marriedmetals #tray #chatocastillodesigner #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico

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Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 14d

A rare Los Castillo Taxco sterling silver Mexican modernist bracelet circa 1940s - fits a 7" wrist, and weighs 90 grams!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexicansilver #taxcosilver #midcenturymexico #bracelet #jewelry #wearableart #art #hechoenmexico

A rare vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Mexican modernist geometric design link bracelet by Los Castillo in Taxco. A striking early modernist design by Los Castillo, and possibly designed by either Chato or Antonio Castillo. Entirely handmade of weighty solid sterling silver with cut-out opposing L-shaped designs along the length. Measures 6.75" wearable length but the links are curved so the bracelet will actually fit up to about a 7" to 7.25" wrist. (I can fit it on my 7.5" wrist, but it's tight.) Measures 1" wide. The bracelet weighs a super heavy 90 grams total. Marked at back with the 1940s Los Castillo marks, "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Made in Mexico" and design number "360". A hard to find, and super attractive modern bracelet that will no doubt last another 80s years at least! Still has the original safety chain as shown. I've only seen a couple other examples of this design in my 45+ year career, and they were smaller and lighter than this one! Excellent vintage condition.

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 13d

Piece of Shite award, maybe...there's so many to choose from in the present White Power House!

Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 16d

A spectacular vintage 1940s Los Castillo Taxco handmade sterling silver & amethyst necklace - 16" wearable length!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #mexicansilver #handmade #hechoenmexico #mexicanartdeco #jewelry #necklace #wearableart #art #taxco

A spectacular and very rare vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver and amethyst Mexican Art Deco floral Orchid necklace designed by Margot in the early days for Los Castillo in Taxco. All original, and entirely handmade repoussage technique silverwork with lovely and richly colored large amethyst cabochons each measuring just under an inch long! Designed in the early 1940s by Margot van Voorhies when she was married to Antonio Castillo, one of the founding four brothers of Los Castillo in Taxco. These much-desired early designs by Margot are some of the most sought-after designs by one of the greatest during the Silver Renaissance in Taxco! The necklace measures 1-1/2" wide at front and sides, and presently fits up to a 16" neck, but can be easily adjusted to larger sizes with the simple addition of an extender chain at back if needed. Weighs a hefty 2.9 ounces or roughly 100 grams total. Marked at back as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco Sterling Made in Mexico" and design number "403". Excellent vintage condition.

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 21d

Stella Popowski design for Los Castillo circa 1955 - a brooch and a pendant - the pendant measures about 3" tall - primarily made of sterling silver with 'metales casados' (married metals) sections at front, and with turquoise inlay.

#loscastillotaxco #stellapopowski #mexicanmodernism #taxco #plata

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · 21d

The US is actually bailing out American banks who made bad loans to Argentina. The money won't help a single Argentinian, except maybe some rich guys who get a commission on the deal..
Let that sink in!

Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 29d

An exquisite one of a kind vintage 1940s Los Castillo Taxco gold-plated sterling silver Chinoiserie design brooch created by Margot van Voorhies.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #handmade #mexicansilver #chioiseriejewelry #vintage1940s #hechoenmexico

An exquisite one of a kind vintage 1940s handmade gilt sterling silver red glass dangles and carved stone figure Chinoiserie Chinese Immortals Zhang Guolao Longevity design brooch created by Margot in her early years while at Los Castillo in Taxco. Margot was influenced by many styles and periods of art and jewelry from Art Deco to Asian art to pre Columbian etc! She did a series of one of a kind brooches featuring Chinese carvings at center, and often under the branches of a tree with dangling jeweled 'fruits'. I've been fortunate to have a few of these pieces over the years, and each has been unique, and centering a unique Chinese carving. This is the only example that I've seen with gold-plated sterling silver. Also, the figure has four red glass 'fruit' dangling from the branches of the tree, as well as tiny stones set in the 'eyes' and the 'belly button' of the figure. The carving at the center of this brooch is a depiction of Zhang Guolao, one of the eight Chinese Immortals from Taoist legend. He represents the Chinese blessing of longevity, long life, and he was supposed to have lived for several centuries back in ancient China of 2000 years ago plus! One of Margot's earliest designs at Los Castillo, which of course were realized in silver by Antonio (her husband) so should really be seen as a collaboration by two talented artists. In any case, a very early design for Los Castillo as well, and no doubt from the early 1940s. Measures 3.5" tall by 3.75" widest, and weighs 42.2 grams. Marked at back as shown with early 1940s Los Castillo marks, "Los Castillo Taxco" and "Sterling Made in Mexico" with design number "417". Rare and hard to find! A true collector coup for Margot jewelry lovers! Excellent vintage condition.

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Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · 29d

A gorgeous vintage 1940s Los Castillo Taxco handmade sterling silver Mexican Art Deco pre-Columbian figure ring created by Margot van Voorhies.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #mexicansilver #hechoenmexico #taxco #ring #jewelrydesign #precolumbianart

A gorgeous and rare vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver and Mexican Art Deco pre-Columbian Figures adjustable ring designed by Margot for Los Castillo in Taxco. A lovely mixture of Art Deco gracefulness with monumental pre Columbian architectural references! Also, recalls antique French jewelry with similar 'colossal' figures on either side of a central stone. Entirely handmade, of. course, and one of their rare early designs! A central dome in sterling silver is flanked on either side by architectural pre Columbian figures who appear to be holding the dome up! No doubt inspired by Mesoamerican architecture, likely temple guardian figures, and likely originally quite large, but shrunk down to wear on your finger! Measures just over 5/8" wide at top and rises 3/8" above the finger, size 10 US presently but adjustable band will fit most sizes, and weighs 13.4 grams total. Marked inside the band as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" on one side, and "Sterling Made in Mexico" with early design number "281". The only example of this ring design that I have seen! There is lots of patina and wear from being worn, but still has much life left in it! Excellent vintage condition.

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Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Mexican Modern - 20th C. Design @mexico-modsigloxx.bsky.social · Sep 18

Maracas player brooch, sterling silver, by Los Castillo. Currently listed on eBay (not by me).
#loscastillo #taxco #taxcomexico

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Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · Sep 23

A very large and very rare Salvador Teran design for Los Castillo Taxco handmade sterling silver pendant with matching earrings - pendant measures 3.25" tall, earrings are over 2" long!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #salvadorteran #mexicansilver #hechoenmexico

A huge and quite rare set of vintage 1940s 50s handmade sterling silver Mexican modernist pre-Columbian Figure design pendant with matching earrings by Salvador Teran for Los Castillo in Taxco. Salvador Teran was cousin to the Castillo brothers of Los Castillo, and he was a designer and silversmith there for their first decade or so before opening his own shop La India Bonita in 1952. This is one of his very rare and very early designs while still at Los Castillo. The pendant design is comprised of two layers of sterling silver with the upper layer cut-thru to reveal the underlayer which has been oxidized black for contrast with the shiny polished raised sections. The design features a modernist rendition of a seated pre-Columbian figure with elaborate headdress, possibly Mayan or Aztec in origin. The matching earrings are very similar, but only show the face of the figure but still with elaborate headdress. A striking modernist interpretation of ancient Mesoamerican art! The pendant measures 3.25" tall by 1.25" widest point. The earrings measure 2-1/8" tall by 5/8" widest point. All pieces marked as shown. The pendant is marked, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle, with "Hecho en Mexico" and design number "126". The earrings are also marked design number "126" with "Sterling Made in Mexico". The set weighs 45.1 grams total. An early design by Salvador Teran for Los Castillo, and pre Eagle mark, so I can safely say that this set was made between 1948 and 1952 when Salvador left to open his own shop. Tested and guaranteed to be as described. The pendant would look amazing on a chain, a neckring or a black cord. I have sterling neck rings available for purchase separately, if desired. I also have black fabric cord available at no extra charge, just let me know in the transaction notes when making the purchase. Excellent vintage condition.

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 20

A very large Los Castillo Taxco sterling silver black onyx turquoise and azurmalachite inlay Mexican modernist pendant designed by Stella Popowski circa 1950 - measures 3.75" tall!

#loscastillotaxco #stellapopowski #pendant #mexicanmodernism #mexicansilver #wearableart #art #modernistjewelry #dance

Stella Popowski was a Polish emigree who left Poland with her parents and siblings in the late 1940s for Cuba, where they lived during the war years. After the war, Popowski studied art in Paris before moving to Taxco where she designed for Antonio Pineda and Los Castillo. Around 1960, she opened her own business in Taxco, but it was short-lived. In the mid-1960s, she moved to California where she spent the rest of her life. During her years in California, she concentrated on her art and design projects.
This is one of her designs for Los Castillo. Made in sterling silver with black onyx (onix negro), turquoise inlay, azurmalachite inlay, and malachite inlay. A very time-consuming technique, this 'onix negro' design would have been very expensive to produce, and of course that was reflected in the asking price when it was being sold in the Los Castillo showroom. It's marked design number "014P" which makes it one of her earlier designs at Los Castillo. The early Eagle mark is also present on it which places this piece from 1948 to about 1952, I'm saying circa 1950. The design is of a stylized figure who looks to be doing some kind of ritualized dance. Probably based on a pre-Columbian model, this is a very loose modernist interpretation. It measures 3.75" tall including the bail at top.
Marked "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle, "Hecho en Mexico" and "Onix Negro". A very rare design that I have only seen this once!

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 18

An early 1950s Chato bracelet design for Los Castillo created in ‘metales castillo’ (sterling, copper, and brass) and centering a large vividly colored azurmalachite cabochon.

#chatocastillotaxco #loscastillotaxco #taxco #metalescastillo #azurmalachite #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #bracelet

An early 1950s Chato design that has had endless permutations by Los Castillo over the years - basically a concave setting at top centering a large stone with a wide band bracelet below - the concave setting has taken many shapes, and centered many different cuts and types of stones, and the band has tapered or not, and been constructed of various metals, but basically the same design nonetheless - this is one of the earliest examples, created in ‘Metales Castillo’ (sterling, copper, and brass) and centering a large vividly colored almost ‘painterly’ azurmalachite cabochon - no doubt a one of a kind and possibly the prototype for all the later variants by Los Castillo.

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Reposted by Los Castillo Taxco

Patrick Kapty @patrickkapty.bsky.social · Sep 12

Salvador Teran design for Los Castillo in Taxco circa 1950 - handmade of sterling silver with raised and polished pieces above an oxidized black base.

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #salvadorterandesign #taxco #mexicansilver #wearableart #sterlingsilver

A superb vintage 1950s handmade sterling silver Mexican modernist Surrealist Primitive Animals design necklace by Salvador Teran for Los Castillo in Taxco. Salvador Teran was cousin to the Castillo brothers of Los Castillo, and he was a designer and silversmith there for their first decade or so before opening his own shop La India Bonita in 1952. This is one of his very rare and very early designs while still at Los Castillo. The design is comprised of two layers of sterling silver with the upper layer polished bright against the underlayer which has been oxidized black for contrast. The animals are broken into their various parts and the parts float in a black background like outer space. Is it a horse? or a deer? or a dog? I can't say for sure, but they're great! The necklace will fit up to a 15.5" neck presently, but extra links could be added in between the bar links or at back to make it fit larger sizes. This is an easy job that could be done by any silversmith or jeweler. The marks at back show a great deal of wear, but I can clearly make out "Los Castillo" in a circle around the early Eagle 15, and a very worn but still legible "Taxco" at bottom, and "Hecho en Mexico" with design number "108". Los Castillo rarely used a designer mark of any kind, and although the necklace doesn't bear Salvador's name, it is undeniably his design from his earliest days. Los Castillo also made the matching bracelet and the very rare earrings. I have a pair of the earrings listed in my shop separately. Tested and guaranteed to be as described. Excellent vintage condition.

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 7

A Chato Castillo 'cubist musician' design sterling silver brooch for Los Castillo Taxco circa 1955 - measures 2.5" tall, marked "Los Castillo Taxco Hecho en Mexico" with design number 104, and the Eagle 15.

#chatocastillodesign #loscastillotaxco #handmade #mexicansilver #cubistmusician #brooch #art

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 5

Wolmar Castillo
the son of Antonio Castillo of Los Castillo
metales casados (married metals)
coffee pot, creamer, sugar
circa 2000

#wolmarcastillo
#antoniocastillo #loscastillotaxco #mexicandesign #disenomexicano #handmade #hechoenmexico #oneofakind #coffeeset #metalescasados #marriedmetals

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 1

A Chato Castillo prototype sculpture version of the very rare Parrot design salt and pepper shakers from 1940 - the prototype on the left - one of the shakers beside the original sketch by Chato on the right.

#loscastillotaxco #handmade #parrot #perfildeperico #chatocastillodesign #taxco #sculpture

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 1

A classic Chato Castillo design for Los Castillo in Taxco in married metals with black onyx 'eye' - original design from 1943!

#chatocastillodesign #loscastillotaxco #taxco #metalescasados #marriedmetals #bird #tray #mexicanmodernism #metalsmith #midcenturymexico #mexicansilver #taxcosilver #plata

First created by Chato Castillo in 1943, this design is a perennial favorite of fans of Mexican modernist design and of Los Castillo. I've seen examples of it in many different sizes and with many different color stones for 'eyes', and from every decade from the 1940s to the 1990s!

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 1

The Mexico City storefront for Los Castillo of Taxco circa 1955 - it was located on Avenida Juarez.

#loscastillotaxco #mexicocity #cdmx #loscastilloshop #circa1955 #vintagephotograph

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Sep 1

A Chato Castillo modernist brooch design for Los Castillo circa 1955 - measures 2.25" by 1.75", and weighs 29 grams - marked "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15, and design #162.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #mexicanmodernism #wearableart #brooch #art #modernistjewelry

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Aug 31

A Los Castillo Taxco married metals and pre Columbian green stone ear-spool bracelet with dangles - designed by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo circa 1960.

#handmade #metalescastillo #metalescasados #marriedmetals #precolumbian #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign

Chato Castillo was one of the four founding brothers of Los Castillo in Taxco, Mexico, in 1939. He was a silversmith, a designer, and a technical innovator who invented many unique metalworking techniques including: 'metales casados' (married metals), 'mosaico azteca' (mosaic stone inlay), the 'pluma azteca' (feather inlay), among others! His techniques were widely copied by other silversmiths and designers throughout Mexico, and became emblematic of the Mexican mid-century modernist style! Although many other designers in Mexico used pre-Columbian artifacts in their creations, Chato found new and unique ways of doing so, and this bracelet is an excellent example! Composed of metales casados (copper and brass) over sterling silver, and centering a pre-Columbian green stone ear spool at center top from which drops a triangular metals casados plaque with size copper and bronze drops. This particular design was made in many variations over the years by Chato, and his brother Antonio after Chato's death, but each was unique - no two were exactly the same!

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Aug 25

An iconic pair of mid-century Mexican modernist cufflinks designed by Stella Popowski for Los Castillo in Taxco - handmade in 'metales casados' with 'onix negro' (black onyx) and turquoise inlay - a fish, a star, and a black sun!

#loscastillotaxco #stellapopowski #mexicansilver #taxco #cufflinks

A large pair of Los Castillo cufflinks at 1" diameter, and the pair weighs 28.8 grams total. Marked at back "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15, also "Hecho en Mexico", "Onix Negro" and design number "06P".
In pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures, the black sun symbolized the beginning and end of cosmic cycles, representing transformation, death, and rebirth. It was not a symbol of evil, but a powerful emblem of the unseen forces that drive both creation and destruction. This symbolism is most prominently associated with the Aztec sun god Tezcatlipoca and with solar eclipses.

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Los Castillo Taxco @loscastillotaxco.bsky.social · Aug 21

Salvador Terán sterling silver brooch design at Los Castillo circa 1950s - two pre-Columbian athletes at play!

#salvadorteran #loscastillotaxco #taxco #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #handmade #sterlingsilver #brooch #jewelry #jewelrydesign #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #modernistjewelry #art

Salvador Vaca Teran (1920-1974) was first cousin to the Castillo brothers, and joined them at the start of Los Castillo in 1939 - several of his designs at Los Castillo became classics and continued to be produced after he left to open his workshop La India Bonita in Mexico City in 1952 - this is one of those designs - design number 111 - a handmade sterling silver overlay pre-Columbian revival design of two ball players - sport was an important part of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican societies throughout ancient Mexico, and the Castillo brothers and their cousin Salvador Terán were greatly influenced by the many examples of pre-Columbian art and architecture still being discovered in Mexico in those days - measures 1-7/8" diameter, and weighs 24 grams total - marked at back as shown in the second photo - the brooch is composed of two layers of sterling silver, the upper layer is cut-thru, and the bottom layer is oxidized black to make the cut-thru design contrast strongly with the polished silver surfaces surrounding it.

The marks on Salvador Terán design brooch from Los Castillo circa 1950s - design number 111, "Made in Mexico", "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15 mark, and "925" for sterling silver.

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