Los Castillo Mexican silver "onix negro" Belt Buckle - mod fish design

A mid-century Los Castillo Mexican silver and stone inlay belt buckle, this is a piece out the workshop's "onix negro" series. I have said before that the specific technique is a challenging one both for the silversmith and the lapidary as the stone has to be cut exactly to the dimensions of the silver elements that will be laid in it. Yet here too the prowess of the maestros who created the buckle is evident in the absolutely smooth "image" they created by combining the two materials - if you run your fingers over the buckle’s figural part, you will not be able to tell that it is not one continuous surface. Let me close by adding that these little fishes, with the air bubbles escaping their open mouths underwater, never fail in putting a smile on my face...

Size / Weight: 2 1/2" long by 1 3/16" wide; the buckle will accept a belt up to 3/4" wide; 26.4 grams

Hallmarks / Date: fully signed with workshop's signature as shown, the line's name as well while also bearing des. no 28 and Eagle 15 assay mark; 1950s-60s

Condition: excellent vintage with great patina, featuring a fun mod design, with no damage and no repairs noted

Inv# 15465