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patrickkapty.bsky.social
Luis Ortíz Monasterio (1906-1990)
Árbol de la vida y la muerte
(Tree of Life and Death)
1961-1962
carved volcanic rock

#luisortizmonasterio #mexico #sculpture #modernism #midcenturymexico #handmade #modernistsculpture #mexicansculpture #treeoflifeanddeath #volcanicrock #circa1961 #cdmx
Luis Ortiz Monasterio was born in Mexico City on August 23, 1906. Sculptor and teacher. He studied at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes (1921–24) under Ignacio Asúnsolo. He visited California between 1924 and 1926, where he encountered contemporary trends. On returning to Mexico in 1931 he was appointed to teach ‘talla directa’, sculpting directly in stone, at the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas, continuing until 1962. His creative ability and originality are best seen in his more personal creations. In the 1930s he produced sensual stone sculptures such as La Victoria, 1935; by 1943 he was incorporating colour into his designs. He produced a number of polychromed terracotta sculptures, including Maternidad. He also executed some important public monuments, including the fountain of Nezahualcoyotl (1956) in Chapultepec, Mexico City; the sculptures (1962) in the Unidad Habitacional Independencia, Mexico City; and a sculpture (1963) in the National Medical Centre, Mexico City, in which he dealt with historical themes. Ortiz Monasterio maintained a constant interest in using diverse materials and in pursuing new forms of expression; he expressed nationalist sentiments through his use of Pre-Columbian sources. In the 1960s he preferred polychromed concrete and bronze in his personal work and adopted an almost abstract geometric approach. He died in Mexico City on February 16, 1990.
January 22, 2026 at 4:09 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A 1950s Los Castillo Taxco handmade sterling silver copper and pre-Columbian green stone necklace by Antonio Castillo.

#antoniocastillo #sterling #copper #necklace #artjewelry #wearableart #precolumbianartifact #loscastillotaxco #handmade #midcenturymexico #taxco #taxcosilver #mexicansilver
A late-1940s early-1950s one of a kind handmade sterling silver and copper pendant necklace centering an ancient pre-Columbian green stone ‘little man’ figure, and with pre-Columbian stone beads in the chain - both the pendant and chain signed by Los Castillo, also marked “Sterling” with the early Eagle 15 mark - Antonio collected pre-Columbian artifacts from a young age, and made one of a kind pieces using them throughout his life. Earlier pieces like this one are much rarer than the pieces from the 1980s/90s period at the end of his life.
January 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A Mexican modernist interpretation of a pre Columbian 'bird' glyph design ring by Chato Castillo for Los Castillo in sterling silver with 'onix negro' (black onyx) circa 1950. NFS

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #taxco #silver #wearableart
An 'onix negro' (black onyx) and sterling silver ring designed by Chato Castillo and produced by Los Castillo in Taxco circa 1950. The setting is sterling silver with inset block of black onyx that has sterling silver inlaid on top in the design of a pre-Columbian style 'bird' glyph. In pre-Columbian cultures, birds held significant symbolic and practical importance, often representing deities, spiritual messengers, and status symbols, with feathers used in rituals, adornments, and as tribute. In many pre-Columbian cultures of ancient Mesoamerica, feathers were more highly valued than gold! From my personal collection of the works of Los Castillo, and particularly the designs by Chato Castillo from the 1940s to his death in the mid-1970s.
March 21, 2025 at 5:10 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A Stella Popowski sterling silver brass and black onyx Mexican modernist letter opener circa 1960.

Available...

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

#handmade #metalescasados #onixnegro #hechoenmexico #stellapopowski #letteropener #midcenturymexico #mexicanmodernism #modernsilver #vintagemodern #art
A super rare vintage 1950s handmade 'metales casados' (married metals) sterling silver brass and black onyx inlay Mexican modernist Face design letter opener/knife designed by Stella Popowski in Taxco. Popowski was a Polish jewish emigre who fled the Nazis in Europe to Cuba in the late 1930s with her parents and siblings. After the war, she studied art in Paris. She lived and worked in Taxco in the 1950s to early 1960s and designed jewelry for Los Castillo, Antonio Pineda, and later for herself in her own studio. She was not a silversmith, so she designed the jewelry and had it executed by a number of different silversmiths in Taxco. In the mid-1960s she moved to southern California where she concentrated on her painting and design projects. This is a very rare and early design from the Popowski taller in Taxco. I've only seen one other example of this design EVER in my 45+ year career! It measures 6" long by 1-1/8" wide, and weighs 29.7 grams total. Marked as shown, "Popowski Sterling". Excellent vintage condition.
October 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Three beauties from Mexico...

www.rubylane.com/shop/califor...

#mexicansilver #mexicanmodern #midcenturymexico #loscastillo #taxco #emaus #cuernavaca #antoniopineda #taxcosilver #modernism #moderndesign #handmade #disenomexicano #hechoenmexico #hechoamano #joyeriamexicana #modernsilver #vintage
a GORGEOUS vintage 1980s 90s handmade sterling silver and turquoise Mexican modernist cocktail ring designed by Antonio Castillo for Los Castillo in Taxco. A roughly triangular turquoise cabochon with silver beads at four points, and encircled by square sterling wire. Entirely handmade, and like all of Antonio's designs from this part of his life, the work of a mature and sophisticated designer! Measures just over 1" long at top by just under 7/8" wide, size 8 US, and weighs 6.4 grams total. Marked inside the band as shown, "Los Castillo Sterling TA-01". An exceptionally striking natural turquoise stone of vibrant color, and great quality! Excellent vintage condition. https://www.rubylane.com/item/1879775-5372/GORGEOUS-Vintage-1980s-Antonio-Castillo-Los?search=1 a RARE and wonderful vintage 1950s handmade one of a kind Mexican modernist Medusa design brooch by the Emaus workshop of Cuernavaca Mexico. They were a force to be reckoned with in Mexican mid century art and craft, but they also made jewelry which is much more rare and hard to find than their wall hangings and sculpture. They were only in existence from about 1950 to 1980, and many of their designs were by important Mexican architects and designers including Ernesto Paulsen Camba (1925-2006) who was a Mexican modernist sculptor, architect, and designer. The legend of Medusa is of course from the Ancient Greeks, and here's a short bit I found online about her: Medusa, in Greek mythology, the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful. According to legend she was a virgin priestess of Athena who broke her vows by having an affair with the god Poseidon, and Athena cursed her for her betrayal by turning her into the monster of legend. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. From the blood that spurted from her neck sprang Chrysaor and Pegasus, her two sons by Poseidon. The severed head, which had the power of turning into stone all who looked upon it, was given to Athena, who placed it in her shield. The only example of this brooch that I have seen by Emaus in my 45+ year career! Hand painted ceramic 'face' at center bezel-set in a sterling silver frame and with a halo of writhing applied sterling silver 'snakes' surrounding the face. Such a unique piece, and no doubt a one of a kind! Measures 2.5" by 2", and weighs 21 grams total. Marked at back as shown, "Emaus 0.925". Excellent vintage condition. https://www.rubylane.com/item/1879775-5373/Vintage-1950s-Emaus-One-Kind-Handmade?search=1 a SUPERB vintage 1950s 60s handmade 970 silver and amethyst Mexican modernist brooch designed by Antonio Pineda and made for him by Los Castillo in Taxco. A sculpted dimensional geometric design in high-grade 970 silver with an inset oval amethyst cabochon set off-center! An outstanding design by Antonio Pineda, and made for him by Los Castillo during the labor unrest in Taxco in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Many of the silversmiths in Taxco went on strike for better wages and working conditions, and this unrest hit many of the workshops quite hard including Antonio Pineda. However, he had a longstanding relationship with the Castillo brothers at Los Castillo, and arranged for them to make his designs for a couple of years until the labor conditions improved. Measures 2.75" long by 1-1/4" wide, and weighs a hefty 27 grams total. Marked at back as shown with both Los Castillo marks from the period, as well as the Antonio crown mark, along with "970 Hecho en Mexico" and the Eagle 58. Excellent vintage condition. https://www.rubylane.com/item/1879775-5374/SUPERB-Vintage-1950s-60s-Antonio-Pineda?search=1
December 14, 2024 at 1:34 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Two photos of artist/designer Annette Nancarrow - amongst her pre-Columbian art collection, and wearing a Mexican 'skull' dance mask circa 1940s.

#annettenancarrow #artist #designer #jewelry #jewelrydesign #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #handmade #precolumbianart #wearableart #art #sculpture
February 9, 2026 at 2:54 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
Here's a wonderful entirely handmade mixed metal (copper and silver) green onyx and abalone shell inlay mid century modernist chalice likely designed by Chato circa 1955. It stands about 5.5” tall by 4.25” diameter at top.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #handmade #metales #midcenturymexico
Finding something by the world-renowned metalsmithing family Los Castillo of Taxco that I have never seen before doesn’t happen every day! Here’s a wonderful entirely handmade mixed metal (copper and silver) green onyx and abalone mid century modernist chalice likely designed by Chato circa 1955. It stands about 5.5” tall by 4.25” diameter at top. The main body is copper. The bowl is silver on the inside. There is a large green onyx around the upper section of the stem, and six applied silver and abalone modernist ‘fish’ just below the rim around the outside of the vessel. Marked “Los Castillo Taxco”. No idea if this is a one-off or part of a set. Happy to hear any ideas!
January 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A flamboyant handmade paper maché circus Clown with Umbrella sculpture from Tlaquepaque Mexico circa 1965.

Available...

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

#handmade #papermaché #clown #sculpture #papermachésculpture #folkart #mexicanfolkart #midcenturymexico #hechoenmexico #clownwithumbrella #art
A flamboyant vintage 1960s 70s handmade paper maché Mexican folk art Clown with Umbrella design sculpture from Tlaquepaque. Entirely handmade hand-formed paper maché that is then hand-painted in super bright colors! Fine details on the face with painted features over a bright white clown makeup! In addition, there are also different colors of materials overlaid on top of the paper maché in pink yellow orange and blue, and he has a lace collar and parti-colored hat and umbrella! The umbrella is held up by a metal wire that has been wrapped with paper maché too, then brightly colored as well. So unique! I've had literally hundreds of these over the years, and this is the only one exactly like this one! He's about 10.75" tall by 5" wide at front by about 6" deep at bottom. Unmarked, but unmistakably the work of the talented paper maché sculptors of Tlaquepaque. These paper maché sculptures are delicate and easily damaged from inappropriate cleaning or just mischance, but this one is nearly flawless with just an accumulation of dust in the deep crevices, very slight wear at bottom from display, and a very small bit of loss of the lacquer and paint on the hands. Easily touched up if it bothers you. No cracks, no serious damage, no missing parts. In excellent vintage condition with the caveats noted above but really in great shape overall.
April 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A vivid vintage 1960s handmade painted paper maché Fishing Clown sculpture from Tlaquepaque Mexico.

Available...

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

#handmade #painted #papermaché #clown #fishingclown #sculpture #tlaquepaque #mexico #circusclown #circus #midcenturymexico #hechoenmexico #folkart #art
A vivid vintage 1960s 70s handmade paper maché Mexican folk art Fishing Clown design sculpture from Tlaquepaque. Entirely handmade hand-formed paper maché that is then hand-painted in super bright colors! Fine details on the face with painted features over a bright white clown makeup! In addition, there are also different colors of materials overlaid on top of the paper maché in pink orange and blue on the sleeves, and beige on his trousers. His fishing pole is paper maché wrapped metal for strength, and the paper maché fish hangs from a blue fabric string. He's standing with open arms, and in one hand is a fishing pole with a dangling fish. So unique! I've had literally hundreds of these over the years, and this is the only fishing clown I've seen! Super rare design! He stands about 10.5" tall by 7.5" wide at front by about 4" deep. Unmarked, but unmistakably the work of the talented paper maché sculptors of Tlaquepaque. These paper maché sculptures are delicate and easily damaged from inappropriate cleaning or just mischance, but this one is nearly flawless with just an accumulation of dust in the deep crevices, very slight wear at bottom from display, and a very small bit of loss of the lacquer and paint on the other hand (the one not holding the fishing rod). Easily touched up if it bothers you. No cracks, no serious damage, no missing parts. In excellent vintage condition as noted above with no damage or detractors whatsoever,
April 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A huge vintage 1960s Casa Maya Mexico mixed metals pre Columbian Figure design necklace.

Available...

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

#casamaya #mexico #precolumbianfigure #necklace #handmade #mixedmetals #copper #brass #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #mexicanjewelry #wearableart #jewelry
A huge vintage 1960s 70s handmade mixed metals copper and brass Masked Dancer design pendant on chain necklace by Maya of Mexico. A big bold design that really makes a statement when worn! The two-part pendant measures 3-1/4" long by 2" wide, and hangs on an alternating brass and copper link chain of 26" total length. Total weight for the necklace is a hefty 72 grams. Marked at back "Mexico". This is a known Casa Maya design, and it's pictured in the Hargrove book of Casa Maya jewelry. Excellent vintage condition.
May 3, 2025 at 3:58 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
An iconic Los Castillo handmade silver wood and stone inlay 'smoking' box designed by Chato Castillo c.1970s

#handmade #loscastillotaxco #mexicansilver #mosaicoazteca #metalescasados #smoking #box #mcm #midcenturymexico #modernism #mexicanmodernism #hechoenmexico #taxcosilver #chatocastillodesign
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes! This cigarette box was made by the Los Castillo workshop in Taxco circa 1970s. It is composed of malachite and azurite 'mosaico azteca' stone inlay over silver and copper 'metales casados' metalworking in the lid. The bottom section of the box is Mexican redwood with a silver frame. Marked 'Handwrought' 'Los Castillo' and 'Mexico'. It measures 7-3/8'W X 3-1/2''D X 1-3/8"T and weighs 1lb.8oz. A Chato Castillo design for the family workshop Los Castillo in Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico.
February 5, 2026 at 1:06 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A superb vintage 1950s Los Castillo handmade 4 color metales casados Mexican modernist pre-Columbian Jaguar design belt buckle in three shades of silver and brass.

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco #metalescasados #beltbuckle #wearableart #art #handmade #jaguar #midcenturymexico #hechoenmexico
March 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A Talleres Monasticos handmade sterling silver and brass on ebony Mexican modernist Last Supper wall sculpture.

Available...

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

#mexicanmodernism #lastsupper #talleresmonasticos #cuernavaca #mexico #hechoenmexico #modernism #modernart #art #midcenturymexico #handmade
An iconic vintage 1950s handmade mixed metals sterling and brass on ebonized wood Mexican modernist Last Supper wall-sculpture artwork by the Talleres Monasticos of Cuernavaca Mexico, also known as Emaus and the Benedictine Monks of Cuernavaca. Designed by Ernesto Paulsen Camba (1925-2006) who was a Mexican modernist sculptor/architect/designer, and who provided designs for the Emaus workshop in the 1950s. His architectural and design work was a major part of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, and he was a contemporary of Clara Porset, Van Beuren and Shoemaker, among others. Probably the most iconic and desirable version of the Last Supper made by the Talleres Monasticos, and especially given the great condition! The sterling and brass pieces are raised above the black wood base in the technique called 'metales divorciados' (divorced metals) first developed by Chato Castillo of Los Castillo in Taxco in the 1940s. The Emaus workshop sold their work through the Los Castillo shop in Taxco, and also in the Sanborn's department store in Mexico City. Measures 17.75" across by 6" high at front by 1" thick, and has the hanging apparatus at back as shown. Has both the sterling silver plaque at back with complete markings for the Talkers Monasticos including "Sterling Talleres Monasticos" and the Eagle 1 mark that means that this item was tested by the Mexican government for sterling content in Mexico City, and also the paper labels that are usually missing as they were only glued on at back. The applied design at front is primarily sterling silver with two additional pieces of brass, and has some tarnish as shown which can be easily polished away if you desire to do so. Excellent vintage condition.
October 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
Miguel Pineda copper enamel set for Los Castillo Taxco circa 1960.

#enamel #copperenamel #enamelart #loscastillotaxco #miguelpinedaenamel #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #handmade #vintageenamelart #art #mcm #modernism #moderndesign #abstract #disenomexicano #hechoenmexico
An incredible late 1950s to early 1960s modernist copper enamel platter and covered tazza bowl set designed and made by Miguel Pineda for Los Castillo in Mexico City - platter measures 11” by 8.5”, and the tazza measures 6.75” tall by 6” diameter - marked at bottom as shown in my second photo. NFS #loscastillo #loscastillotaxco #miguelpineda #miguelpinedaenamelist #enamel #enamelart #modernistenamel #midcenturymodern #moderndesign #modernism #mexicanmodernism #handmade #hechoamano #hechoenmexico #disenomexicano #esmaltemexicano #modernismomexicano #patrickkapty Miguel Pineda apprenticed with Maggie Howe in Mexico City in the late 1950s. Howe also produced work for Los Castillo, and she brought him to the attention of Los Castillo. He produced items for Los Castillo in the late 1950s to early 1960s, and those pieces are always signed by both parties.
February 3, 2025 at 5:59 AM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Very early pin/pendant by Mexican silversmith/designer Salvador Vaca Teran while he was at Los Castillo in Taxco c.1950

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

#salvadorteran #loscastillo #taxco #mexicansilver #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #vintagemodern #modernsilver #modernistjewelry #handmade
a RARE vintage 1950s handmade sterling silver Mexican modernist Parrot design brooch pendant created 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 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 parrot in an ornate frame. This brooch also has a pendant loop at back for wearing on a neckring, chain, or cord, and I show it on a neckring for reference although the neckring is not included but can be purchased separately. This brooch measures 2-5/8" tall by 1-7/8" wide, and weighs a substantial 27.4 grams total. Marked at back with applied dot "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15, also marked "Sterling Mexico". Los Castillo rarely used a designer mark of any kind, and although this brooch doesn't bear his name, it is undeniably the hand of Salvador Teran. A very rare design that I have never seen before or since, and it has been in my collection for quite some time. Possibly even a one of a kind, and it is not published in any of the literature on the subject, and I haven't seen another offered online or elsewhere. This brooch/pendant is one of three rare early designs by Salvador Teran at Los Castillo that I am offering in my shop this week. They are from my personal collection, and this brooch is the only example of this design that I have seen in my 45+ year career! Excellent vintage condition. RARE vintage 1950s handmade sterling silver Mexican modernist Parrot design brooch pendant created 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 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 parrot in an ornate frame. This brooch also has a pendant loop at back for wearing on a neckring, chain, or cord, and I show it on a neckring for reference although the neckring is not included but can be purchased separately. This brooch measures 2-5/8" tall by 1-7/8" wide, and weighs a substantial 27.4 grams total. Marked at back with applied dot "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15, also marked "Sterling Mexico". Los Castillo rarely used a designer mark of any kind, and although this brooch doesn't bear his name, it is undeniably the hand of Salvador Teran. A very rare design that I have never seen before or since, and it has been in my collection for quite some time. Possibly even a one of a kind, and it is not published in any of the literature on the subject, and I haven't seen another offered online or elsewhere. This brooch/pendant is one of three rare early designs by Salvador Teran at Los Castillo that I am offering in my shop this week. They are from my personal collection, and this brooch is the only example of this design that I have seen in my 45+ year career! Excellent vintage condition
December 9, 2024 at 10:25 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A rare vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Serpent and Two Arrows design money clip by Los Castillo of Taxco - the only example of this design that I have seen!

#loscastillotaxco #sterlingsilver #moneyclip #handmade #wearableart #art #midcenturymexico #taxco #taxcosilver #mexicansilver #jewelry
An incredible vintage 1940s Los Castillo Taxco handmade sterling silver money clip in the design of a serpent intertwining with two arrows, both emblems of pre-Columbian cultures of ancient Mexico. The serpent also represents the Aztec god, Quetzalcoatl, a creator god in both the Mayan and Aztec religions. Of all the men's jewelry made by Los Castillo, the money clips are no doubt the rarest! Many people confuse them with tie bars which are usually a bit shorter and thinner than the money clips. This is design number 810 from the 1940s, and I am guessing either an early Antonio Castillo or a Margot design. This is the only example of this design that I have seen ever, and it's not published in any of the literature on the subject. NFS.
February 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
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.
September 18, 2025 at 5:22 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A rare pair of large 1940s 50s 'metales divorciados' wall sculptures of ballet dancers by Chato Castillo of Taxco.

#chatocastillotaxco #loscastillotaxco #handmade #metalesdivorciados #balletdancers #wallsculpture #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #hechoenmexico #hechoamano #taxco #art #diseno
Rare vintage 1950s signed Chato Castillo Taxco handmade ‘metales divorciados’ ( divorced metals) Mexican modernist Dancers wall plaques - another unique technique created by Chato in the 1950s which uses mixed metals (usually copper, brass, and silver-colored metal) individual pieces that don't touch anywhere, and are raised above the black wood background, and arranged in such a way as to create a design, in this case dancers - these artworks have a stylized curling-snake “ch” signature (for Chato) at front bottom right, and also a silver metal disk at back marked “Chato Castillo Taxco”. NFS. #chatocastillotaxco #chatocastillo #loscastillotaxco #taxco #taxcomodern #taxcomodernism #mexicanmodernism #moderndesign #20thcenturydesign #20thcenturyart #mexicanmodernart #mexicandesign #disenomexicano #modernismomexicano #metalesdivorciados #metales #patrickkapty
January 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Woman with a Bird Cage
oil on canvas
1941
Rufino Tamayo
(Mexican, 1899–1991)

#art #modernart #mexicanart #rufinotamayo #mexico #oil #painting #womanwithabirdcage #dated1941 #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico
Woman with a Bird Cage combines Rufino Tamayo’s deep appreciation of ancient Mesoamerican art with his interest in Cubism, the 20th-century abstract art movement created by artists Pablo Picasso and George Braque. The influence of Cubism is apparent in the woman’s body, which Tamayo fractured into planes of color. Yet her distinctive elongated ear, large nose, open mouth, and the other aspects of her form reflect the Indigenous artist’s study of West Mexican ceramic sculptures (similar examples of which are on view in Gallery 136), which he collected enthusiastically. The synthesis of the two styles suggests his desire to introduce personal aspects of his Zapotec identity into modernist painting.
March 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Wearable modern art for the cuff! Pedro Castillo Mexico 1950s sterling silver handmade cufflinks...

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

#pedrocastillo #mexicansilver #cufflinks #hechoenmexico #modernism #moderndesign #handmade #sterlingsilver #vintagecufflinks #midcenturymexico #modernsilver #taxco
a SUPERB pair of vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver Mexican modernist abstract design cufflinks by Pedro Castillo of Taxco. Such a unique pair of entirely handmade abstract modernist cufflinks! Castillo worked for Spratling in the 1930s, then Aguilar at Taller Borda around 1939, and opened his own shop in Taxco in the 1940s. He also designed jewelry for Rafael Melendez around the same time, as well as providing one of a kind creations to the Tane Gallery in Mexico City. This pair of cufflinks is from early in his career, and shows the vigor and ingenuity of an original creative artist! Each cufflinks measures 7/8" square at fronts, and the pair weigh 0.6 ounce or roughly 17 grams total. Marked at backs as shown, "PC" for Pedro Castillo, also "Taxco Sterling", pre-Eagle period. Excellent vintage condition
December 15, 2024 at 11:01 AM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A flamboyant 1950s Los Castillo sterling & amethyst bracelet - measures 3" wide, and fits up to 7.5" wrist!

Available now in my Ruby Lane shop -

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

#loscastillotaxco #chatocastillodesign #mexicanmodernism #midcenturymexico #mexicansilver #handmade #bracelet
a FLAMBOYANT vintage 1950s 60s handmade sterling silver and amethyst Mexican modernist statement bracelet designed by Chato Castillo for the family company Los Castillo in Taxco. A really exceptional dimensional design that measures 3" wide at top! Features four prong-set amethyst pebbles on top of abstracted leaf-shaped concave sections above a tapered band with box closure at back! Each stone is roughly 3/4" long, and weigh about 12-15 carats each. Fits up to a 7.5" wrist, and weighs 72 grams total. Marked as shown, "Los Castillo Taxco" in a circle around the Eagle 15, also "Made in Mexico 925" and design number "28". An extremely rare design that I have only seen one other time, but with different stones, so I am guessing that Los Castillo only made one example with each type of stone as I have seen with other designs by them. I prefer this example with the richly-colored amethysts! Makes an incredible statement on the wrist!! Excellent vintage condition. elongated teardrop-shaped amethyst set with curlicue prongs in teardrop-shaped bowls, a distinctive mid century Mexico modernist bracelet! shown on a wrist, the stone settings rise above the hand in a dimensional geometric design!!
January 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Mexican dance mask
Wood, paint
Mid 20th century
Mexico

#mexico #dancemask
#wood
#paint
#mexicanart
#folkart
#midcenturymexico
July 21, 2025 at 3:33 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A Los Castillo Taxco handmade copper Hippocampus design tray circa 1945-50 - super rare, possibly one of a kind. NFS

#loscastillotaxco #margotdesign #margotvanvoorhiescarr #margotdetaxco #taxco #mexicandesign #midcenturymexico #handmade #copper #hippocampus #hecoenmexico #hechoamano #mexicandesign
May 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
loscastillotaxco.bsky.social
A Stella Popowski design for Los Castillo Taxco circa 1955 which was made into cufflinks, belt buckles, and this box.

#marriedmetals #metalescasados #onixnegro #blackonyx #turquoise #inlay #handmade #box #cufflinks #beltbuckle #midcenturymexico #mexicanmodernism #loscastillotaxco #stellapopowski
Designed by Stella Popowski for Los Castillo in Taxco. This box has a sterling silver lid frame with metales casados (sterling and brass) that also includes black onyx and turquoise inlay in an abstract geometric design. The design reminds me of shapes viewed through a fun house mirror, everything seems a little off kilter! Measures a bit over 4” long by about 3” wide by just under 2” tall. The sterling lid fits loosely over the handmade Mexican redwood box base. These boxes by Popowski are really little artworks to place on a table or shelf, although they can be used for practical purposes too. Popowski was a Jewish emigré from Poland just before the Second World War whose family moved to Cuba first, then a few years later to Mexico. Popowski designed for Antonio Pineda and Los Castillo before opening her own workshop in the late 1950s in Taxco. She left Mexico in the early to mid 1960s for Southern California where she lived in the LA area before ending up in the suburbs of San Diego. She created unique artworks using a variety of techniques including oils and watercolors, and designed decorative objects like menus and greeting cards. Her unique artworks were shown in a great many galleries and art fairs in Southern California in her final years alongside many of the perhaps better recognized artists from the area. NFS. A Los Castillo Stella Popowski design handmade onix negro box with matching belt buckle in metales casados, onix negro and turquoise - this is the most typical color combination found in Popowski designs for Los Castillo, and since most pieces found these days are in this combination, I am guessing that it was the most popular at the time of their creation - I also have the matching cufflinks in my collection, and I’m always looking for more examples/forms for this and other Popowski designs for Los Castillo! NFS
May 26, 2025 at 1:58 PM
patrickkapty.bsky.social
A vintage 1950s 60s Tono Taxco handmade sterling brass black onyx and turquoise Mexican modernist bolo tie.

Available...

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

#tonotaxco #taxco #mexicansilver #mexicanjewelry #modernism #wearableart #art #handmade #midcenturymexico #hechoenmexico #bolotie #facedesign
A striking vintage 1950s 60s handmade sterling silver metales piedra negra and turquoise Mexican modernist Face design bolo tie by Tono of Taxco, and from his early 'piedra negra' line of jewelry. A truly outstanding and entirely handmade masterwork of mid-century Mexican modernism! This is the only example of this design as a bolo tie that I have run across ever! Super rare!! Hung on a braided black leather cord with silver terminals. The bolo measures 1-3/4" diameter, and the cord is large enough to be pulled over the head at approx 38" total. Weighs 43.7 grams total including the cord etc. Marked at back of the bolo as shown, "Tono Taxco Piedra Negra Hecho en Mexico", with design number "T184" and "Sterling 925" in a circle around "AC". Also marked "Cecilia" as some of Tono's pieces were sold through the Cecilia shop in Taxco. Excellent vintage condition.
May 1, 2025 at 2:25 PM