Accession Number

1986.008.0054

Alternate object names

Cloak Pin;Pin

Creation Date

circa 1600

Description

Indigenous women of all classes used long metal pins, known as tupu in the Quechua language, to secure a cloak or shawl at about their shoulders. Functional but also decorative, these jewelry items were often employed in pairs, joined by a string or chain. Tupu were worn by women throughout the region of the Andes, including present day Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. The earliest examples date from about 300 B.C.E.

This tupu is made of hammered silver, but different metals, such as gold, copper or bronze might be used, depending on the owner’s circumstances. This example illustrates the way in which Indigenous forms were embellished or modified during the Colonial period—the decoration on the head shows a heart pierced by two arrows, symbolizing the love and compassion of Christ for humanity, according to Roman Catholic teaching.

However, the connection of tupu with spirituality predated the arrival of the Spanish. Traditionally, tupu were used as offerings at the huacas (shrines) of the Quechua and Inca, and added to the burials of significant women and girls, including those subjected to human sacrifice.

Exhibition Label

Case Caption (2023): N/A
Object Caption (2023):

Tupus (Shawl Pins)
Silver (c.1610)
Gifts of Jamestown Inc., Joseph Hoffman, Rodman Sutton
1986.008.0054-0056, 1986.008.0058, 1999.001.0004

Tupu were exclusively worn by noble women, to hold their shawls in place. After the Spanish conquest, silver tupu, such as these, identified Indigenous aristocracy who were recognized by the colonial administration. Traditional long before the Inca, they are still worn today.