Two Figurines, Male and Female
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CULTURE
Mapuche
MEDIUM
Silver
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)
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
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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