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SILVERSMITH´S

Mate with tail. Argentina, early 20th century.

The container, lobed and with its tail, appears “dressed” with different components made of silver. It has a base, which rests on three cast legs, and a mouthpiece with chiseled details, which presents its raised mouth with a band. Its entire body is decorated with a smooth silver ribbon, which also runs along the tail, which is presented wrapped at its end. It owns its tube for sipping. Measurements. Mate margin-bottom: 0pt; line- text-align: justify;">

These forms were born in the viceregal era, apparently first in Paraguay, and throughout the 19th century, due to the known specimens, their use spread over both banks of the Río de la Plata. Once the pumpkins with tails were identified, still in the plant and growing, they were treated in a special way. A cloth ribbon was tied to them so that when developing their size, they would copy the entire surface that furrow that this tight fabric caused them. Removed from the mature plant, the goldsmith decorated them with silver details and they are even decorated with gold threads and sheets. Some with their fixed base, and others that rest on a free support. The creativity of the silversmith was manifested in these works of use and enjoyment.


In the tradition of our drink, the containers with a tail bore the name of “mate of the jealousy”, because its owner preferred it when visitors came, so that it would not touch the hand of the lady serving mate every time they served it. S. On. 6. L21


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