“At the pampas, the impressions are rapid, spasmodic, to then
disappear in the width of the environment, leaving no trace.”
Ricardo Güiraldes. Don Segundo Sombra.

Gallery 1
Women: work force and political resource

Las Pampas exhibition departs from the figure of women, ornaments and jewellery design. The wives of the leading Caciques (political chief), who had settled in these territories during the 19th Century, were of great importance and recognition, because through their ornamentation, their delicate and subtle silver jewels, created the economic and political power symbol of the Cacique.
    
The pieces on exhibition have a diverse and unique design. They were handmade by highly professionalized craftsmen that took part of an active economy. The jeweller created outstanding pieces were the sound of the piece created by the woman’s movement was music that translated into alliance and seduction.

The women embellished different part of their bodies with numerous jewels: around their head, neck and chest. This ensemble presents an image of luxury and power. The chosen part of the body was greatly accentuated when the women was on a horse and the movement generated a sensual sound. Although they are mostly silver, some pieces were produced with found coins, coloured glass beats and industrial drilled thimbles, among other materials.   

Carlos Aldunate remarks: “Although the possession of silver elements appears as common denominator of every women’s trousseau in the 19th Century, there is no doubt that these pieces were in the hands of the most important lonko or caciques (…). Travellers (…) describe the never-ending processions of women that were behind the chiefs during ceremonies and public official functions, whose pectorals, brooches, necklaces, head pieces, braid ribbons and bells, all silver, produced a great spectacle and sound that made pronounce the German words “It was a Chinese style music band of a military regiment” (Treutler 1861) […]

“(…) Some travellers insinuate that the way women use certain garments, such as ‘four to six fingers wide silver rings … in the arms and legs under the calf’ was a sign of their virginity (Treuler 1861).” Jewels accompanied the diseased woman in her grave: “Eugenio Robles (1942), tells the story of a woman’s funeral (…) where ‘one of her relatives placed both hands on the pit, holding a great part of the diseased jewels.’”

The women, for whom significant monetary amounts were paid, constituted – as well as captives and children- the main work force: domestic work, family attendance, care of the flock, water and firewood supply, harvest, knitting, and yarn spinning were their main duties. Women tanned leather, made household equipment and wooden tools and carried her belongings. Each cacique had many women. All of them lived together and took care of the household while the chief rode his horse through the Pampas.       

The custom of embellishment shared by women continues until today, specially during celebrations and special ceremonies.

Bibliography:
-  Aldunate del Solar, Carlos. Reflexiones acerca de la platería mapuche, Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino.  http://www.precolombino.cl/preco_upl/pdf/18/1.pdf
- Caraballo de Quentin, Claudia. De los metales precolombinos a la platería pampa
- Pereda, Teresa. La platería en las tierras del este y del oeste