Tupu Physical Object


Accession Number
1986.008.0055b
Alternate object names
Pin;Cloak Pin
Creation Date
circa 1600
Materials
Description
Pin portion. Has swirl design. One of two pieces that were at one time connected. See also 1986.008.0055a. 
Dimensions

5.3 x 0.3 cm. 2.88 grams.

Exhibition Label
Case Caption: 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.