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@loscastillotaxco.bsky.social Sep 20, 2026, 4:05 PM

A huge one of a kind Chato Castillo sterling silver and carved jade Olmec Warrior design pin brooch c. 1940s - measures 4-3/8" tall by 3-1/8" wide!

Available...

www.rubylane.com/item/1879775...

#handmade #OlmecWarrior #precolumbianjade #ChatoCastilloTaxco #mexicansilver #wearableart #brooch #pin

A one of a kind vintage 1940s handmade sterling silver and carved pre-Columbian jade Olmec Warrior design brooch by Chato Castillo of Los Castillo from early in his career in Taxco. Entirely handmade hammered from behind, the sterling silver has been shaped using the repoussage technique to form the dimensional design, then hand etched at front, and with applied silver balls and a dangling fringe at the bottom. No doubt Chato, who was a long time collector of pre-Columbian artifacts like his brother Antonio, and his former employer, William Spratling, created this brooch to house this amazing ancient artifact in hand-carved jade object. Most likely originally worn by a pre-Columbian ball player as a badge of honor or rank. (See my last photo for a similar ceremonial 'hacha' from Veracruz circa 600 CE.) A beautiful pale yellow-green colored jade with slight color variations, and what the Chinese call 黃玉 (Huángyù), meaning "yellow jade". A very rare design that I haven't seen before or since, and according to the classic, "Mexican Jewelry" (1963) by Mary Davis and Greta Pack, speaking about Chato and his jewelry, "...In the few jewelry pieces that he makes...his pieces are all one of a kind..." (p.195). Measures 4-3/8" tall by 3-1/8" wide at front, and weighs a substantial 81.2 grams or nearly three ounces total weight! Marked at back as shown, "Sterling Chato Mexico" and design number "2", which makes this one of his earliest numbered designs. Tested and guaranteed to be as described. Could be easily converted to be worn as a pendant with a slip-on pendant converter that slips over the pin stem. Excellent vintage condition.

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