Los Castillo Mexican Mixed Metal Water Pitcher,

figural parrot handle with abalone on silver and brass body, attatched to a hand hammered silverplate base, 8 1/2" tall, signed, nice early example from a famous Mexican silversmith. Antonio Castillo and his four brothers were all trained in Spratling's shop before they went out on their own to open Los Castillo, one of the most prominent of the Mexcian jewelry producers which is now in its second generation. The Castillos were responsible for introducing works that married two or more metals. They also did enameling, feather work and Aztec mosaics. The exhibition includes some complex and simple selections in solid silver sometimes combining semi-precious stones or glass.