Mate Container Item Number: 3482/8 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Silver mate container (part a) with straw (part b). Container is oval-shaped, with a narrow mouth and everted lip. Plain, raised band around middle. On either side of the band there are finely incised floral and curvilinear motifs. Three legs are attached to the sides of the container, with an undecorated ring below the body, connecting the legs together. Legs are shaped like flowers and have incised floral motifs across them. The straw (bombilla) has a rectangular top and globular bottom. The top is flat and gold coloured. The upper half of the stem is twisted and has raised bronze coloured geometric motifs overtop. The bottom half of the stem is undecorated. The rounded lower end of the straw is perforated, to act as a filter.
Yerba mate is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink, made by soaking dried leaves of the holly species Ilex paraguariensis in hot water. Traditionally served in a calabash gourd container with a silver straw (bombilla) which serves as both a straw and a sieve.