Piñita

Accession Number1986.008.0138

VesselSanta Margarita (1622)

Datecirca 1600

DescriptionOne of several small silver cones recovered from the wreck of the 1622 galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha. The function of these cones is ambiguous. Many of them bear Christian motifs, such as IHS, or pierced hearts, suggesting a religious function. But others are simpler, with repeating geometric designs. These cones, with hollow centers, are strikingly similar in shape to larger silver cones called piñas, the initial form of Andean silver immediately after the mercury used in the purification process was removed. Were these smaller cones designed to mimic the piñas, and reflect a central figure of South American silver mining? With the important role of silver piñas in the economy of the New World, perhaps these are nothing more than stylized representations of this most important product – and ones which just happened to make nice souvenirs.