A silver utensil with a long handle and one end that is slightly larger and has small holes.
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Unknown Maker, American

Drinking Straw with Filter (Bombilla)
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, American

Culture

American, South American

Title

Drinking Straw with Filter (Bombilla)

Year

1800s

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silver

Dimensions

22.9 cm (9 inches) (length)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of John F. Street

Object Number

40.017.326

Type

Exhibition History

Trading Earth
Ceramics, Commodities, and Commerce
Apr 09, 2022 – Aug 03, 2025

Label copy

Tea is served and consumed in many ways. Teapots may have small holes in the body by the spout to strain out loose tea leaves. In South America, straws with perforated filters are used for drinking mate, a caffeine-rich infusion similar to tea. A double-spouted teapot ensures that no one needs to wait when sharing tea for two.

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, American
Drinking Straw with Filter (Bombilla), 1800s
Silver
22.9 cm (9 inches) (length)
Bequest of John F. Street 40.017.326

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