In 1939, the Castillo brothers—Antonio, Jorge, Justo, and Miguel—left William Spratling’s Taller de Las Delicias (established in 1935) to form their own workshop, inspired by the great resurgence of modern silver in Mexico. Spratling was highly supportive of the brothers’ new venture while demanding that they not reproduce his designs. This condition spurred innovative breakthroughs and a range of new designs, including this bold shell necklace designed by Margot van Voorhies Carr, Antonio’s wife and Los Castillo’s lead designer. The undulating lines of the bulbous shells create a dynamic patterning that recalls ancient abstractions of the form. Adornments crafted from shells held social and religious significance throughout Mesoamerica, which was an important creative source for Margot, Los Castillo, and many of their contemporaries.
Antonio and Margot divorced in 1946, at which point she left Los Castillo and established her own workshop, which she called Margot de Taxco (https://collections.lacma.org/node/1547036).
Rachel Kaplan
2024
