Horn gourd. Paraguay. Early 20th century.

Traditional Paraguayan mate gourd, also used in the bordering Argentine region, “the horn mate gourd, whose origins date back to the viceroyalty period and the Jesuit Missions, as attested by Fathers Martín Dobrizhoffer and José Cardiel. This horn, cut and sealed at one end to form a base (in its more luxurious examples), was covered with silver, either on the edges or over its entire surface.” (1)

Measurements: Height: 16 cm.

The use of cattle horns spread throughout the Río de la Plata region, as discussed in the previous section. In this example, its typology is linked to Paraguayan mate gourds that completely cover the surface of the horn with a sheet of silver decorated with chiseled designs, especially with plant motifs. The silver chain allows it to be attached to a saddle, another widespread practice in the region.

Note: 

1. Javier and José Eguiguren Molina, in El Mate en América (Buenos Aires, Eguiguren y Vega, 2004, p. 171.