Breast Ornament

Artist:Mapuche

Medium: Silver, wool?

Geograhical Locations:

• Chile

Dates:18th–19th century

Dimensions: 12 x 4 x 1/2 in. (30.5 x 10.2 x 1.3 cm)

Collections:

• Decorative Arts and Design

Museum Location: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor

Accession Number: 36.933

Catalogue Description:
Silver breast ornament or "trapelakucha" in Mapuche worn by women on the center of their chests. This ornament consists of two trapezoidal plaques joined by long, tubular silver beads threaded with red wool(?) yarn. The top plaque is decorated with an incised "X" design and the larger, bottom plaque has a human face in high relief framed by an incised "X" design. The bottom plaque is also decorated with six triangular silver danglers.

Brooklyn Museum