Items Similar to Los Castillo E.Alvarado Arquitectura Mosaic with Montezuma Mexico, 1959
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Los Castillo E.Alvarado Arquitectura Mosaic with Montezuma Mexico, 1959
About the Item
An E. Alvarado 1959 mosaic wall panel commissioned at the Taxco showroom of Los Castillo Plateros depicting the 1467 reconstruction of the temple of Huitzilopochtii after its damage from an earthquake overseen by Montezuma.
The mosaic is composed of hand shaped pieces of turquoise, amethyst, obsidian, sea green opal, tourmaline, lapis lazuli, limestone and other stones set into a thick plaster backing.
The Alvarado mosaic studio was located on the second floor of the Los Castillo Plateros showroom in Taxco, Mexico.
The original owners met with Sr. Alvarado and chose this scene from the many offered. They returned to Boston and received a drawing and a small bag of various semi-precious stones that were samples of what the mosaic would be made from. A couple of weeks later they received a photographic update on the progress of the mosaic with the final artwork shipped to them a month after their meeting with Sr. Alvarado.
The cost of the mosaic with its shipment in 1960 was twelve hundred dollars the equivalent of almost thirteen thousand dollars today.
Below are excerpts from the final letter to the original owners informing them of the impending shipment to their home in Boston and reviewing the historical event illustrated by their mosaic.
"The description of the "ARQUITECTURA" mosaic is:
Fifty two years before Cortéz arrived in what is now México City there was an earth quake which partly destroyed the Main Temple of the Aztecs dedicated to Huitzilopochtli (God of War).
The Emperor Montezuma, who is represented in the low right hand corner of the plaque had it reconstructed.
The reconstruction required hundreds of men, but since this mosaic is an allegory, the artist, E. Alvarado, tries to carry the message by using a few men to sculpture the Idol, a man is cracking the stone, another man is carrying up the stairway of the Pyramid, another man is making a dugout to embark into one of the many channels and lagoons that existed in the Valley of México in the sixteenth century. The lake and channels are represented by the Sea Green Opal, the artist has emphasized this point, in view that the water transportation was the main and most adequate way to travel in the Capital of the Aztec Empire.
To wash this mosaic kindly use
a hard bristle brush using any kind of detergent, scrub it entirely and then wash it until the plaque is free
from detergent.
This operation should be done once every 6 months.
clean it ordinarily just brush it."
The mosaic is in fine vintage condition as pictured.
- Creator:Los Castillo (Retailer),Alvarado (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 40.5 in (102.87 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Amethyst,Brass,Carnelian,Celadon,Lapis Lazuli,Limestone,Malachite,Multi-gemstone,Opal,Plaster,Rose Quartz,Tourmaline,Hand-Crafted,Mosaic
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1959
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Camden, ME
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU898444151612
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1984
1stDibs seller since 2010
235 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Camden, ME
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllMosaic of a Jean Dufy Paris Street Scene Watercolor c. 1950
By Jean Dufy
Located in Camden, ME
A wonderful mosaic of ceramic and iridescent tile that captures the vitality and color of a neighborhood in Paris with small shops, a cafe, a pharmacie, along a tree lined boulevard ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Art Glass
Mosaic Panel of the Bicentennial in New York Harbor, 1978
Located in Camden, ME
A large mosaic panel artwork representing the bicentennial celebration in New York harbor on the evening of July 4, 1976.
A memorable evening throughout the United States and partic...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Outsider and Self Taught Art
Materials
Ceramic
$7,200 Sale Price
68% Off
California Studio Mosaic Navajo Sand Painting Yei Dancers Rainbow 1960 Guardians
By I. D. Henny
Located in Camden, ME
A Navajo sand painting mosaic art wall panel of the Navajo mythological Yei Dancers Rainbow Guardians created in the 1960s in a non traditional fo...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stone
California Studio Navajo Sand Painting Mosaic Art Panel of Thunderbird, 1960s
By I. D. Henny
Located in Camden, ME
A Navajo sand painting mosaic art wall panel of the Navajo mythological Father Sky or Thunderbird created in the 1960s in a non traditional format...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Genaro Alvarez Mosaic Glass Tile Cocktail Table Mexico, circa 1955
By Genaro Alvarez
Located in Camden, ME
Classic glass tile mosaic coffee table from the Mexico City Studio of the noted artist Genaro Alvarez dating from the mid-1950s.
There are three different compositional designs in the creation of this mosaic top.
The first is the abstract pictorial of a universe of white, crème and grey surrounding a "Black Hole" with a galaxy of yellow and black swirling along its serpentine "lariat" of a double ended orbit path marked by gold tiles.
The second is the consistent placement of the background tiles in concise repetitive patterns of concentric half circular arcs.
The third is the placement of gold mirrored tiles adding points of sparkle over the entire surface as the intersection points of a grid, a very interesting and sophisticated addition.
The integration of these three design elements adds an unexpected complexity and cohesion to the overall composition.
Genaro Alvarez is recognized as one Mexico's great mid century masters of mosaic design of his era and had an international reputation and clientele with several major architectural installations here in the United States.
From Don Shoemaker dot com.
"One artist that was recognized for his mosaic furniture creations is Genaro Alvarez. The Genaro Alvarez Studio, (located in Mexico City) was known for its mosaic work in murals and floor designs as well as decorative furnishings such as lamps, trays and furniture using various types of natural rocks...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Mao Zedong, life size embroidered parade banner dated 1969
Located in Camden, ME
A graphically bold, lifesize embroidered textile depicting Moa Zedong grasping a symbolic red umbrella and shoulder satchel. The banner was created as a potent visual tool in announc...
Category
Vintage 1960s Chinese Decorative Art
Materials
Cotton
You May Also Like
1970s Los Castillo Silver Virgin Mary Plaque Wall Art Taxco Mexico
By Los Castillo
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Los Castillo Virgin Mary Silver Black Wall Art Taxco Mexico
Silver on Black Lacquered Wood
10.25 H x 5 W x .75 Thick
Made in Mexico.
Maker sta...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Silver
Los Castillo Wall Sculpture
By Los Castillo
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this handmade mixed metals copper brass stone inlay wall-mounted sculpture in the style of Los Castillo Taxco Mexico.
Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Mounted Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass
Salvador Terán Mexican MCM Mosaic Lady's Portrait
By Salvador Teran
Located in Mexico City, MX
A wall mosaic depicting the profile of a woman by Mexican silversmith, furniture designer and sculptor Salvador Terán. The mosaic is made with brownish and white stones. It is signed...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Stone
"Mexican Woman" Abstract Impressionist Oil Painting Dated 1959
Located in Rochester, NY
"Mexican Woman" Mid-Century Modern painting by American/German artist Ake Tugel. Oil on masonite. Painted with palette knife. Dated 1959 and signed with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Paintings
Materials
Paint
Banana Pendant by Sofia Alvarado
Located in Geneve, CH
Banana pendant by Sofia Alvarado
Dimensions: D 200 x H 3 cm
Materials: Embroidered blackout fabrics, Macrame / lacquered metal stand.
One of a Kind.
FI is an ornamental artist ...
Category
2010s Panamanian Post-Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
$6,084 / item
Mexican "Vida y Muerte" Modernist Face Mosaic Tray attributed to Salvador Teran
By Salvador Teran
Located in Southampton, NJ
Rare design, “Vida y Muerte” mosaic and brass tray attributed to Salvador Teran. The tray is not stamped by Teran but the tray exhibits his typical details such as concave brass edge...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
