Margot de Taxco (Margot Van Voorhies Carr)

Margot de Taxco (Margot Van Voorhies Carr) (???? – 1985) was American-born. Her work and influence enabled Taxco silver to come to attention worldwide. She is also fondly remembered for her business card that read, “As the stars are to the Night, So are Jewels to the Woman.”

Margot arrived in Mexico from San Francisco in 1937. She met and married Don Antonio Castillo of Los Castillo. His encouragement and support helped to translate her paper designs to three dimensional forms in silver.

Among her inspirations were Japanese art and the works of Art Deco designers and artists. Many early designs from Los Castillo display the Margot de Taxco influence. She is most famous for her work with enamel on silver whose designs readily convey the influence of pre-Columbian themes, Art Deco style, and Japanese Art. For the latter the influence shows up in her use of fish and wave motifs.

Margot eventually divorced Castillo, left Los Castillo, and in 1948 established the Margot de Taxco workshop. There she and the many talented designers she hired produced striking finished ensembles in silver on enamel that include necklaces, brooches, bracelets, and earrings. In Marot’s workshop, the men fashioned the silver and women crafted the enameling. With tiny brushes, they painted in color according to Margot’s delicately drawn watercolors. Margot’s lines of jewelry are recognized for their variety, elegance, and femininity.

Many silversmiths who would eventually open their own workshops worked for Margot including Sigi Pineda who worked for her four years. Other designers who worked for her were Hilario Lopez, Miguel Melendez, Melicio Rodriguez, and Jaime Quiroz.

Margot de Taxco was favored by many contemporary Hollywood celebrities. Her clients included John Wayne and Lana Turner, who visited Margot’s Taxco silver shop every year.

In 1960, a fire forced Margot to move. It appears she began to experience financial troubles afterward. Her workshop, such as it became, remained in business until the mid-1970’s. Eventually, the Mexican government took over the business to help liquidate her debts. Margot gave her molds and dies to her silversmiths to pay debts to them. Consequently, work is still being produced from Margot’s designs.

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