“Cosas desta tierra”: An Indigenous Silversmith from Mexico in Peru, ca. 1550

Abstract

While his name is a glaring omission, the brief missive regarding an Indigenous silversmith, datedMarch 9, 1566, and held at theArchivoGeneral de Indias in Seville, is surprisingly rich in detail (fig. 1). It was sent by the first archbishop of Lima, Jerónimo de Loayza, to King Philip II of Spain, in order to discuss a silversmith who had lived in the archbishop’s home since 1552, at least. The letter suggests that the silversmith traveled from New Spain with Antonio deMendoza himself whenMendoza was summoned to Peru as viceroy in 1550. It even describes three pieces made by the silversmith.