Emilia Castillo Pure Silver Lizard & Black Porcelain Bowl, Mexican Silver Art

A striking 1980s Mexican Modernist decorative bowl by Emilia Castillo, handcrafted in Taxco, Mexico, combining deep matte-black porcelain with sculptural pure silver (plata pura) ornamentation.

The dramatic composition features two highly detailed silver lizards seemingly crawling along the undulating rim of the bowl. Their elongated bodies become part of the silver edging itself, while individually modeled legs extend across the black porcelain surface. Small silver dragonfly motifs scattered throughout the interior provide an additional whimsical naturalistic detail. The contrast between the almost architectural black porcelain form and richly patinated silver creates a particularly sophisticated example of Castillo's work.

Emilia Castillo is part of one of the most important families in the history of 20th-century Mexican silver design. She is the daughter of Antonio Castillo, co-founder of the celebrated Taxco workshop Los Castillo, whose innovative approach helped establish Mexican silver as an important component of international modernist design. Emilia developed her own distinctive vocabulary, frequently combining precious metals with ceramics, stone and other materials while drawing inspiration from Mexico's flora and fauna.

Her work belongs within the broader collecting tradition of Mexican Modernism and the Taxco silver renaissance, appealing to collectors of designs associated with Los Castillo, William Spratling, Héctor Aguilar, Margot de Taxco and Salvador Terán. These designers and workshops helped establish Taxco as one of the most significant centers of modern silver design during the 20th century.

The bowl is hand signed in pure silver on the underside:

“Emilia Castillo / Plata Pura / Mexico / M.R. / 5”

At 9.75 inches in diameter, the piece has substantial visual presence while remaining exceptionally versatile for an interior. It would work beautifully as a sculptural centerpiece on a cocktail table, console, dining table, credenza or library table, particularly within contemporary, Mid-Century Modern, Mexican Modernist or eclectic interiors.

An especially compelling piece for interior designers and collectors of Taxco silver, Mexican Modernism, Emilia Castillo and Los Castillo, combining decorative function with highly recognizable sculptural craftsmanship.

Measurements:
9.75 in. diameter × 3.50 in. high