Rare South American, silver mate cup with 18k gold inlay on silver, showcasing highly intricate, curvilinear motifs, including a gilt horse motif, standing on 3 legs, measuring 5 1/4'' in height by 2 1/2'' in depth, weighing 3.6 troy ounces (112 grams), and bearing hallmarks as shown.
Maté is a word of 'quichua' origin (mati) that identifies a vase used to drink. In Peru and Rio de la Plata, maté is the name of calabash tree fruit used to contain an infusion of herbs original of Paraguay. The use of this container spread through South America in a way that also the infusion assumed the name of maté (Yerba Mate...
Category
Early 20th Century South American Inlay Sterling Silver