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Two Figurines, Male and Female

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CULTURE Mapuche
MEDIUM Silver
  • Place Made: Santiago, Chile
  • DATES 19th century
    DIMENSIONS a: 7 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 11/16 in. (20 x 8.9 x 1.7 cm) b: 7 15/16 x 3 9/16 x 11/16 in. (20.2 x 9 x 1.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 41.1274.9a-b
    CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Pair of male and female silver figurines, which were probably suspended from individual pins or tupus. In the Mapuche language, the female figurine is called "pillan kuze" or "spirit woman" and the male figurine is called "pillan fücha" or "spirit man." The female figurine is worn to the right of the male one because Mapuche women stand to the right of their husbands. These figurines may represent the spirits of dead ancestors. Condition: one of the man's earrings is missing.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
    CAPTION Mapuche. Two Figurines, Male and Female, 19th century. Silver, a: 7 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 11/16 in. (20 x 8.9 x 1.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 41.1274.9a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.1274.9.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 41.1274.9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Mapuche. <em>Two Figurines, Male and Female</em>, 19th century. Silver, a: 7 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 11/16 in. (20 x 8.9 x 1.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1941, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 41.1274.9a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.1274.9.jpg)