What is a Palitera?
Palitera is a table decoration and a toothpick stand.
This extravagant Palitera (image above) is often used as table decorations for affluent Manilenos during the Spanish period. It is mainly made of silver from melted Mexican silver coins traded from the Galleon Trade and were shaped into local flora and fauna.
Paliteras were hot commodities during the Spanish colonial period and symbolized affluence and sophistication.
The Palitera (image above is on show at the 3F of the Ayala Museum)
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