"Argentina" is a word that derives from the Latin argentum that is translated as silver.
This narrow relationship of our country with the metal is not chance. The Pampa´s indians used to adorn theirs wifes with liglien bracelets (silver, in Araucanian). In the high Peruvians areas and in the of Cuzco and Potosí cities, they moved the objects for the sacrament (chalice and medallion) by coaches covered in silver. Most of the first silversmiths for decoration of the liturgy and altars, at the end of the XVII century, were Spanish and Portuguese, attracted by the construction of temples.
In colony times, the families of the high society used matés, trays, cutleries, plates and other pieces carried out in silver. And the peasantry identified the Creole spirit in the farm tools for the horse, whip, spurs, facón and other accessories, carried out in featured silver. The reins were made entirely of fine silver threads meshes, imitating the finest temp of foal braided. The butts, bozalejos, bondsmen, pretales, halter and baticolas were also made in this way.
It is so the traditional Creole platería it is one of the categorical emblems of the Argentinean society and nowadays those pieces constitute the valuable old platería.
|
