Caroline's Jewelry with a Past is offering a sterling silver brooch and earring demi-parure by Los Castillo of Taxco c. 1945. This pre-Eagle (before 1948) set features a bold feather leaf pattern. The silver leaves are deeply carved and oxidized to add drama. The feathery fern leaves are each rounded with a central vein running the length of the leaf. The daring brooch is 3-1/4" tall X 2-3/8" wide (maximum dimensions) and has a undulating curve. There is a brooch fixture with a safety style clasp. The brooch weighs 42.0 grams. It is marked "Los Castillo" + "Taxco" + "Sterling" + "Made in Mexico" + design number #238. The earrings have the same design reduced in size and are circa 1955. They are 1-1/4" X 3/4" (maximum dimensions). They way 10.2 grams. One earring is marked "Los Castillo" + "Taxco" + Eagle mark #15. The second earring has "Hecho en Mexico". The total weight of the set is 52.2 grams.

The Los Castillo workshop was founded in Taxco Mexico in 1939 by the Castillo brothers, Antonio, Coco and Chato, along with Antonio's wife Margot van Voorhies Carr (later Margot de Taxco), and their cousin Salvador Teran. The brothers had worked for William Spratling during the 1930's. Margot did a number of the early Los Castillo designs until she left about 1949 to start her own business. Los Castillo is still in business and is the longest continuously operating silversmith in Taxco. Design and craftsmanship have always been a hallmark of the workshop.

The silver content of this piece has been tested using standard accepted testing methods, such as acid testing. The brooch is marked "Sterling".

When you own vintage handmade jewelry, you wear a design that is unique and represents the artist's vision. It is made by a skilled craftsman and can have features which are only found in this piece. The jewelry may exhibit the marks of the craftsman. It will not be perfect. These pieces have been lightly polished.