{"product_id":"antique-mapuche-silver-sequil-de-placas-chile-late-19th-early-20th-century","title":"Antique Mapuche Silver Sequil de Placas – Chile – Late 19th \/ Early 20th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn impressive antique \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMapuche silver chest ornament\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, traditionally known as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003esequil de placas\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003esequil de tubos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, originating from southern Chile.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ornament combines a long articulated upper section composed of numerous rectangular silver elements with a large central cruciform plaque. The cross is decorated by hand with incised geometric lines and distinctive spiral motifs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNine articulated silver ornaments are suspended around the central element, including cross-shaped and radiating forms. Each is attached individually by a silver ring, creating movement when the ornament is worn.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith a weight of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e125 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and a total length of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e26 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this is a substantial and highly sculptural example of traditional Mapuche silverwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComparable Mapuche chest ornaments preserved in museum collections suggest a probable dating to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elate 19th or early 20th century, approximately 1880–1930\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This dating should be considered a stylistic and typological attribution rather than a documented date of manufacture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterials \u0026amp; Construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh-grade tested silver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandmade construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArticulated upper section\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarge central cruciform plaque\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-incised decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNine suspended silver ornaments\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndividually attached articulated elements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditional Mapuche silversmithing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe silver has been tested and is of good quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 125 g \/ 4.41 oz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTotal length:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 26 cm \/ 10.24 in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum width:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.5 cm \/ 2.56 in\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuspended ornaments:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Dating\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCulture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mapuche\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Southern Chile, probably Araucanía\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTraditional type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSequil de Placas \/ Sequil de Tubos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Late 19th – early 20th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProbable date:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e circa 1880–1930\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCultural Context\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilverwork occupies an important place in historic Mapuche material culture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the late 18th century and particularly during the 19th century, increasing access to silver through trade contributed to the development of a sophisticated Indigenous silversmithing tradition. Silver coins were frequently transformed by Mapuche craftsmen into personal ornaments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLarge silver ornaments became important components of women's traditional dress and could express social position, family wealth and cultural identity. Such pieces were valuable possessions and could be transmitted through generations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe articulated construction and cruciform lower element of this example belong to this important tradition of Mapuche chest ornaments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMuseum Comparison\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA closely related Mapuche silver ornament is preserved in the collection of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMusée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in Paris:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInventory no. 71.1930.13.104\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe comparison is particularly relevant to the overall form and construction of the present ornament.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther related Mapuche silver chest ornaments preserved in major museum collections are dated to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003elate 19th and early 20th centuries\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, supporting the proposed circa 1880–1930 attribution.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis museum comparison is provided for typological and cultural context and does not establish the individual provenance of the present piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood antique condition with wear consistent with age and traditional use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe silver displays surface scratches, rubbing, minor irregularities and natural patination. The hand-incised decoration remains clearly visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe articulated construction is preserved and the nine suspended ornaments are present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece has deliberately not been excessively polished, retaining the surface character associated with its age and use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWearing \u0026amp; Display\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally intended as a traditional chest ornament, this piece is now particularly compelling as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecollector's object and example of historic Mapuche silverwork\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts articulated construction and large cruciform composition make it especially effective when displayed vertically, where the movement and sculptural quality of the suspended elements can be fully appreciated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt could also be incorporated into a contemporary jewelry arrangement, although its substantial 125 g weight should be considered before wearing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo documented excavation or early collection provenance accompanies the piece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Mapuche attribution and proposed dating are based on its construction, iconography and comparison with documented examples in museum collections.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e","brand":"Arkandis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55029567848786,"sku":null,"price":230.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0889\/4935\/8930\/files\/6795-10.png?v=1791810208","url":"https:\/\/arkandis.com\/products\/antique-mapuche-silver-sequil-de-placas-chile-late-19th-early-20th-century","provider":"Arkandis","version":"1.0","type":"link"}