Among the forms of art created in Chile during the colonial period, that of the silversmith was outstanding. There had been a guild of silversmiths since the 16th century. As an art, it received interesting new ideas with the arrival of the Bavarian Jesuits during the 18th century. They introduced the more delicate and refined styles of German rococo. After the expulsion of the Jesuits in 1767 Chilean craftsmen continued their work until the end of the colonial period.

Lectern. Silver, 17th century.

Goblets. Chilean, anonymous, end of the 17th century. Silver. 31 and 27 cm high.

Reliquary with a miniature of st. Francis. Anonymous work from Latin America, 17th century. Gilded silver. 25 cm.

Chest with the scars of St. Francis. Spanish American from the 17th century. Embossed openworked silver, engraved. 30 x 30 cm. Silver urns. Anonymous. 18th century. Embossed silver. 42 x 17 cm at the base.

Holy Custody. Decorated with vines, ears of corn, cherubs' heads and omamental motifs in the rococo style. Jesuit, anonymoms. Middle of the 18th century. Silver. 45 x 15cm. This wondertul holy custody, known for the variey of its decoration and the delicacy of its workmanship, reveals the hand of one ot the Jesuit craftsmen for Germany who came to Chile during the middle of the 1700s.