Uncover the Barquillera, ca. 1900: A Featured Historical Spanish Sweet Dispenser at Museo del Traje

This presentation focuses on a barquillera, an object used to contain and dispense sweets, popular in Spain from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. The piece, dating from around 1900, is displayed in the Belle Époque room of the Museo del Traje.

The 'Model of the Month' for January features a barquillera from approximately 1900, a distinctive item used for selling 'barquillos'—sweets popular in Spain from the late 19th to mid-20th centuries. This particular piece is on display in the Belle Époque (1889-1914) room of the Museo del Traje. The barquillera itself served not just to hold the sweets but also featured a roulette game to determine the number of treats dispensed, a common element in Spanish street culture. The text delves into the history and cultural significance of the barquillero (the vendor) and the barquillera, tracing its origins and spread across Spain and into Ibero-American countries. It describes the construction of the barquillera, made of iron with decorative elements, and its functional roulette mechanism. The piece integrated into the museum's collection in 1990, though its precise dating remains within the late 19th to early 20th century. The document also contextualizes the barquillero within the broader social and urban transformations of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting the rise of public parks, leisure activities, and street vending as integral parts of urban life. It further explores the historical evolution and production of the barquillo itself, from its potential religious origins to its artisanal manufacturing process. The barquillero's role as a humble, yet iconic, street vendor is portrayed through various cultural references and historical accounts.

Attendance is free and does not require prior booking, offered as part of the 'Model of the Month' series. Limited capacity, available on a first-come, first-served basis.