Old Silver Tupo or Shawl Pin

The indigenous women and girls of the Andes in Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru fasten their shawls with beautiful clasps called tupos, or topos. The tupo usually identifies the wearer's area of residence and is an important part of cultural significance for indigenous Andean women and girls. This fine tupo is formed from high content silver and features a small bird perched on a beautifully formed flower bud with a fish milagro hanging from the chain. The imagery is a wonderful melding of colonial design and indegenous art. Tupos are rarely seen anymore, having been replaced with large safety pins, making this a rare and wonderful treasure.

Measurement: 5 1/2 " long

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