Petaca (valise)

The structure of this travel case is indebted to the pletacalli, a pre-Columbian chest or case made of woven petate (key thatch palm) fibres which the Spaniards adapted to their own purposes in the 16th century. It is reinforced with pita-embroidered leather and three wrought iron bars. It also has an iron lock and handles to protect and carry the valuable personal items that were usually kept in Mexican petacas.
The interior is divided into three linen-lined compartments. This compartmentalisation indicates that it was probably used to carry hot chocolate and the utensils needed to serve it while travelling or on a recreational outing: china cups, cocos chocolateros (chocolate cups made from coconut shells) and the cloth that ladies spread on their laps when sipping this delicacy, which was consumed in large quantities by the Hispanic elite of the early modern era.
The designs embroidered with agave or pita thread represent leaping deer and reflect the influence of the Asian textiles that were exported from Manila to Acapulco along with other goods aboard the China Galleons.