Copper Casting

The present work deals with the analysis of the only metal tray known so far in the Andean Central-South archaeological record. This piece, which is part of the collection at the Museum of La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina), shows distinctive features both in its manufacture and in its iconography. These characteristics have been addressed together with the review of data regarding its origin, in order to interpret its iconography and elucidate the possible temporal location of its manufacture. We propose that its manufacture dates back to early colonial times; however, it would preserve and incorporate elements of pre-Hispanic imagery, in an unprecedented combination of Andean and European features.