GALLEON MIRRORS-NICKEL

When Spanish explorers set out on trade missions to Asia from the New World, or North America, they stored the gold in large iron boxes which were further enforced with interlaced metal straps and large complex locking mechanisms. Opening these locks required three separate keys, held by three separate people. The metal bands featured on the Galleon mirrors were inspired by such an iron box in the collections of the Museum of International Folk Art.