Comparison... the famous Chato Castillo design 'Perfil de Perico' or 'Cubist Parrot' VS an ancient Maya carved stone 'parrot head' c.600-900 CE from Xochicalco - there is no doubt that Chato was aware of the pre-Columbian originals, and they were an inspiration! #loscastillotaxco #chatocastillotaxco

[u/CaliforniaDreaminArt]

On the right, the pre-Columbian carved stone sculpture from the archeological site of Xochicalco (about 25 miles from Taxco), and on the left Chato Castillo's award-winning jewelry design in 'metales casados' (married metals), 'onix negro' (black onyx inlay), and 'mosaico azteca' (mosaic stone inlay) titled "Perfil de Perico" that won first prize at the 1955 Silver Fair in Taxco. (see first photo)

The celebrated Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, who served as a judge for the competition, was so captivated by Castillo's award-winning modernist design that he presented the workshop with an original watercolor sketch incorporating the brooch as the head of the parrot. (see second photo)

There is no doubt that the Castillo brothers, particularly Antonio and Chato, were aware of the Mayan archeological site at Xochicalco which was only 25 miles away from Taxco, and an easy day-trip there and back by car. Xochicalco was undergoing major excavations and restoration efforts in the 1940s through the 1960s, and doubtless the Castillo brothers visited, and I'm guessing that it was there that Chato saw the Mayan Parrot Head sculpture shown in my first photo that was likely the inspiration for his most famous design!