‘Birds of Paradise’ jugs by Los Castillo, Mexico

A collection of highly decorative handmade jugs in the form of birds, all created by Los Castillo silversmiths of Mexico in the late 1950s.

(Shown, from left to right) an incredibly charming silver plated jug, with a tall and curvaceous body, and perched on the lip of the jug and acting as the handle, a large, stylized green-stone parrot with a gilt beak. Stamped to the base 888 and bearing the marker’s marks for Los Castillo.

Height: 12 inches (30 cm)

REFERENCE: 5826
Price code: ££

A compact silver-plated cream jug with a hammered finish, and perched on the lip of the jug a bird with a polished brass head and crest with greenstone body and eyes, his long tail feathers acting as the handle. The maker’s marks stamped to the base, with design number 209.

Height: 6 inches (15 cm)

REFERENCE: 5861
Price code: SOLD

An eye-catching silver-plated pitcher or jug, with a stylized bird ‘mid-call’ featuring vivid green-stone elements to the eyes and handle, with applied polished patchwork of green stone details covering the body. Marked Los Castillo Taxo Mexico to the base.

Height overall: 12 inches (30 cm)

REFERENCE: 5923
Price Code: SOLD

Of similar design this time with a polished body, with conforming greenstone elements to the eyes and swept handle.

Height overall: 12 inches (30 cm)

REFERENCE: 5789
Price Code:  SOLD

The Los Castillo firm of silversmiths were Mexico’s most renowned silver artisans, established in 1939. Their products were retailed through a number of luxury goods stores in the US, such as Neimann Marcus.

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