Mate Container Item Number: 3482/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Small, gourd mate container with stainless steel decoration. Container is dark brown and spherical in shape. It has a raised, rounded lip with braided trim. Plain border around the container opening. Six vertical bands protrude downward from the border, hooking onto an undecorated ring below the container body. Three of the bands extend into curved legs. Lip, trim, border, bands and ring are all made of stainless steel. Interior of container is rough, covered in dried pith.
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.