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Quimbaya. <em>Poporo (Lime Container)</em>, 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_female_SL1.jpg)
Quimbaya. Poporo (Lime Container), 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_female_SL1.jpg)
Quimbaya. <em>Poporo (Lime Container)</em>, 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_female_SL1.jpg)

Quimbaya. Poporo (Lime Container), 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_female_SL1.jpg)

Quimbaya. <em>Poporo (Lime Container)</em>, 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_male_SL1.jpg)

Quimbaya. Poporo (Lime Container), 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_male_SL1.jpg)

Quimbaya. <em>Poporo (Lime Container)</em>, 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_view3_acetate_bw.jpg)

Quimbaya. Poporo (Lime Container), 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_view3_acetate_bw.jpg)

Quimbaya. <em>Poporo (Lime Container)</em>, 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)

Quimbaya. Poporo (Lime Container), 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_view1_acetate_bw.jpg)

Quimbaya. <em>Poporo (Lime Container)</em>, 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_view2_acetate_bw.jpg)

Quimbaya. Poporo (Lime Container), 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_view2_acetate_bw.jpg)

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Poporo (Lime Container)

Arts of the Americas

Poporo are containers used to hold powdered lime made from burnt seashells. Placed in the mouth with coca leaves, powdered lime activates the stimulant in the leaves. In ancient times, ceremonial gold containers were utilized by priests and elites in Quimbaya society.

The male and female figures on opposing sides of the vessel reflect the importance of duality in the Andean world.
CULTURE Quimbaya
MEDIUM Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy)
  • Place Made: Middle Cauca Valley, Colombia
    • DATES 1–600 C.E.
    DIMENSIONS 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
    ACCESSION NUMBER 35.507
    CREDIT LINE Alfred W. Jenkins Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Gold container or poporo used to hold powdered lime made from burnt seashells. The vessel is decorated with male and female figures on opposite sides to reflect the importance of duality in the Andean world. Powdered lime was placed in the mouth with coca leaves to activate the stimulant in the leaves. Condition: excellent.
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Quimbaya. Poporo (Lime Container), 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_female_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE detail, female side, 35.507_female_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
    "CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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    Quimbaya. <em>Poporo (Lime Container)</em>, 1–600 C.E. Tumbaga (gold and copper alloy), 8 x 4 1/8 in. (20.3 x 10.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Alfred W. Jenkins Fund, 35.507. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 35.507_female_SL1.jpg)

    TAGS

    Tumbaga

    TAGS

    Tumbaga

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