Mate Container Item Number: 3482/7 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Double silver container (part a) with lids (parts b-c), one side for mate, the other for sugar. Containers are circular, tapering slightly towards the base, and are attached at the rim and side. Connected on the side with a ball decoration, connected at the rim with an upward handle. Handle has a heart-like shape. Each container has three circular feet. Top halves of both containers have impressed triangular and curvilinear motifs. Lids have matching triangular motifs impressed on them, as well as floral motifs. Centres of lids are plain, with curvilinear borders, and have triangle-like knobs. Inner lips along bases of lids. Sticker on base of one container.
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.