Arqueta de Carey y Plata: An Intercultural Dialogue Exhibition Exploring New Spain's Decorative Arts

This exhibition showcases an exquisite 17th to mid-18th century box made of tortoise shell and silver, originating from the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It highlights the intercultural dialogue and trade routes of the era, featuring exotic materials and skilled craftsmanship.

The 'Arqueta de carey y plata: un diálogo intercultural' exhibition focuses on a significant artifact from the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas: a small, valuable container box crafted from tortoise shell and silver, dating between the mid-17th and mid-18th centuries. Originating from the Viceroyalty of New Spain, this piece exemplifies the rich commercial and cultural exchange facilitated by the 'Galeón de Manila' trade route, which connected Asia, the Americas, and the Iberian Peninsula. The exhibition delves into how this period saw the introduction of diverse products and raw materials, like the exotic tortoise shell and abundant silver from New Spain, into the Iberian world, fostering a golden age for furniture and decorative arts. The piece itself is a testament to the fusion of cultures and the skilled craftsmanship of the time, likely produced in Puebla de los Ángeles. The use of polished tortoise shell, potentially sourced from the Philippines or tropical waters, is harmoniously combined with silver applications that form decorative motifs, spherical feet, handles, and a shield-shaped lock. While such elaborate metalwork typically bore hallmarks indicating origin and maker, these boxes are exceptional for their lack of markings, which complicates precise dating and provenance. However, similar pieces have been identified, suggesting their use as valuable gifts for churches and convents, such as one donated to a church in Medina de Rioseco by an emigrant who resided in Puebla. The exhibition provides context on the materials and the historical 'Galeón de Manila' trade route, enriching the understanding of this unique artifact's cultural and economic significance.

This exhibition has an estimated duration of 30-45 minutes. Reservations can be made via the museum's website. General museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 to 15:00, Thursdays with extended evening hours, and Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00. The museum is closed on Mondays and specific holidays.