{"product_id":"vintage-emilia-castillo-plata-pura-turquoise-bird-bowl-mexico-1990","title":"Vintage Emilia Castillo Plata Pura Turquoise Bird Bowl Mexico 1990","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn exceptional signed work by celebrated Mexican designer \u003cstrong\u003eEmilia Castillo\u003c\/strong\u003e, this extraordinary \u003cstrong\u003e1990 Plata Pura bowl\u003c\/strong\u003e represents the highly distinctive marriage of ceramic and pure silver for which Castillo became internationally recognized.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinished in a luminous \u003cstrong\u003eturquoise-aqua glaze\u003c\/strong\u003e, the substantial 9.5-inch bowl is covered inside and out with an intricate naturalistic composition of \u003cstrong\u003ethree exotic birds perched among sweeping branches, hundreds of individually articulated silver leaves, and delicate dragonflies\u003c\/strong\u003e floating across the open center. The sheer density of the decoration transforms the vessel from functional object into a remarkably detailed piece of sculptural decorative art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this bowl particularly special is the extent of the silver work. The imagery does not stop at the interior basin. Branches, foliage, and dragonflies continue around the exterior, creating a fully realized composition that can be appreciated from virtually every angle. Areas of the pure silver have naturally oxidized over time, producing beautiful variations from bright silver to pewter, bronze, and warmer metallic tones against the saturated turquoise ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside is hand marked \u003cstrong\u003e“Emilia Castillo \/ Plata Pura \/ Mexico – 90,”\u003c\/strong\u003e firmly identifying both the designer and the year of creation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmilia Castillo occupies an important place in the modern history of \u003cstrong\u003eTaxco decorative arts\u003c\/strong\u003e. She is the daughter of renowned silversmith \u003cstrong\u003eAntonio Castillo\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the founders of the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eLos Castillo workshop\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most influential and experimental studios to emerge from the celebrated Taxco silver movement. Emilia grew up immersed in that tradition and later became head designer for Los Castillo while simultaneously establishing an independent career of her own. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer greatest contribution was the development and revival of an unusually demanding technique combining \u003cstrong\u003eporcelain or ceramic with hand-applied pure silver\u003c\/strong\u003e. Museum documentation describes how Castillo and her husband, Roberto Romo, researched and revived a nearly forgotten European technique for marrying porcelain and silver, ultimately transforming it into a distinctive expression of contemporary Mexican craftsmanship. The process became one of the signatures of her work and helped bring renewed international attention to Mexican silver design. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCastillo's silver-over-porcelain work achieved considerable international success. The \u003cstrong\u003eJordan Schnitzer Museum of Art\u003c\/strong\u003e identifies her as both an independent designer and head designer for Los Castillo and notes that her porcelain-and-silver line was sold through \u003cstrong\u003eNeiman Marcus beginning in 1992\u003c\/strong\u003e. The museum also records that she received commissions from international leaders, including an important commission for the \u003cstrong\u003ealtar setting in the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe at St. Peter’s Basilica\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer fascination with the natural world—birds, insects, leaves, fish, reptiles, and botanical forms—became a defining element of her artistic vocabulary. This bowl is an especially successful expression of that language. The three exotic birds emerge almost like characters within a miniature enchanted landscape, while hundreds of tiny silver leaves and hovering dragonflies create an extraordinary sense of movement across the turquoise surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe technique itself is also represented in museum collections. The \u003cstrong\u003eMuseo de Arte Popular\u003c\/strong\u003e has documented Emilia Castillo works combining ceramic with hand-applied pure silver and describes the technique as an important example of internationally recognized Mexican creative craftsmanship. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt approximately \u003cstrong\u003e9.5 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches high\u003c\/strong\u003e, this bowl has substantial presence without being oversized. Its jewel-like turquoise color, complex silver surface, signed provenance, early \u003cstrong\u003e1990 date\u003c\/strong\u003e, and exceptionally elaborate bird-and-botanical composition make it far more than a decorative serving piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a collectible example of late-20th-century \u003cstrong\u003eMexican Modern design and Taxco craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e, bridging fine silversmithing, ceramics, sculpture, and decorative art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist \/ Designer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Emilia Castillo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mexico\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1990\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Emilia Castillo \/ Plata Pura \/ Mexico – 90\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glazed ceramic with extensive hand-applied pure silver decoration\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMotif:\u003c\/strong\u003e Three exotic birds, branching trees, silver foliage, dragonflies\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Turquoise, aqua green, silver, pewter, bronze, black\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 9.5\" diameter × 3.5\" H\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 1.70 lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mexican Modern \/ Taxco Silver \/ Organic Modern \/ Collectible Decorative Art \/ Maximalist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Decorative art bowl \/ centerpiece \/ collectible vessel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent vintage condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs observed. The turquoise glaze remains beautifully saturated and vibrant. The extensive pure silver decoration displays natural oxidation, tarnish, and tonal variation consistent with age, creating areas ranging from bright silver to pewter, bronze, and warmer metallic tones. Minor age-related surface wear may be present. Please review photographs closely as they form an important part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA truly exceptional Emilia Castillo piece—\u003cstrong\u003esigned, dated, extensively worked in pure silver, and rooted in one of Mexico's most important modern silversmithing traditions\u003c\/strong\u003e. With its spectacular turquoise ground, three-bird composition, and remarkable density of hand-applied silver decoration, this is the kind of object that functions equally as collectible design, sculpture, and jewelry for the home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Eclectic Whimsy, \u003cstrong\u003ethis is the description I would use at $1,295\u003c\/strong\u003e. It gives the buyer a reason to understand why they're looking at a four-figure bowl rather than expecting them to recognize the Castillo name on their own.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Eclectic Whimsy","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54540262703414,"sku":null,"price":1298.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/9155\/4102\/files\/emiliacastillotealbirdbowl_4.jpg?v=1789050428","url":"https:\/\/eclecticwhimsydecor.com\/products\/vintage-emilia-castillo-plata-pura-turquoise-bird-bowl-mexico-1990","provider":"Eclectic Whimsy Decor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}