Antique 800 Solid Silver Bombilla 19 cm Yerba Mate Straw 35g Fully Restored

Handcrafted hallmarked 800 solid silver bombilla from Argentina – 19 cm 35 g  vintage yerba mate straw, professionally restored without acids and ready for daily use.

Highlights / Key Features

• Authentic antique bombilla – original Argentinian yerba mate straw made from 800 solid silver, not plated, with rich hand‑worked details. The mouthpiece is clearly hallmarked “800”, confirming the solid silver content of the bombilla.

• Heavy, premium feel – approx. 35 g of silver gives this bombilla a solid presence in the hand and a smooth, warm touch on the lips.

• Fully restored, no acids used – cleaned by gentle electrolytic bath (boiling water, baking soda and aluminum foil) and then professionally polished to a mirror finish.

• Traditional artisan design – twisted shaft with three ornate rings and a classic ball‑shaped filter tip, showcasing Río de la Plata silversmith craftsmanship.

• Perfect everyday length –  19,6 cm (≈ 7.71″), ideal for most mate gourds, mugs and insulated cups.

• Functional collectible – a one‑of‑a‑kind vintage piece that can be used daily or displayed as South American silver art.

This unique bombilla is an original antique piece of 800 solid silver, handcrafted in Argentina and carefully restored so it can be enjoyed again in your daily mate ritual. Unlike modern stainless‑steel straws, this is a true piece of traditional silversmithing, with visible hand‑worked details that turn every gourd of yerba mate into a small ceremony.

The shaft features a beautiful twisted design with three decorative rings, flowing into a classic ball‑shaped filter at the tip. At 19,6 cm (7.71″) it has a comfortable length for most mate gourds and mugs, long enough to stay cool while drinking and short enough to feel balanced in the hand.

With a weight of 35 g, the bombilla has a substantial, luxurious feel – you can immediately notice the difference from a light stainless‑steel straw.

Gentle restoration – no harsh chemicals

Gentle, science‑backed restoration – no acids or abrasion

This antique bombilla was restored using a redox cleaning method instead of aggressive silver dips or abrasive polishing. The piece is placed in hot water with baking soda, in direct contact with aluminum foil. In this solution, a mild redox reaction takes place: the tarnish on the silver (silver sulfide) is chemically converted back into metallic silver, while the aluminum captures the sulfides and oxidizes instead.

Because this process reverses tarnish instead of scrubbing it away, it removes the black coating without wearing down the metal or softening the details, making it ideal for delicate antique silver. To clean the inside of the straw, we use a dedicated bombilla brush mounted on a rotary tool and run it through the tube in the same hot baking‑soda solution. This removes any internal residue and buildup.

After the redox bath and internal brushing, the bombilla is carefully dried and finished with a fine polishing compound on a buffing wheel to recover its original shine while preserving the details.

The final result is a bombilla that looks almost new, but still keeps the soul and character of an antique piece – perfectly safe and ready to use with your favorite yerba mate.

Why choose an antique silver bombilla?

• You are not just buying a straw; you are adding a piece of South American silverwork and gaucho culture to your everyday life.

• 800 silver offers a soft, warm contact compared to steel, and it develops a beautiful patina over time.

• Each bombilla like this is one of a kind – with its own marks and story – making it an unforgettable gift for mate lovers, collectors and anyone connected to Argentina.

Bring a real piece of Buenos Aires mate history into your home and elevate every gourd you drink with this handcrafted antique silver bombilla.

Specifications

• Material: 800 solid silver (not plated)

• Weight: 35 g

• Length: 19,6 cm / 7.71″

• Origin: Argentina

• Style: twisted shaft with three decorative rings and ball‑shaped filter tip

• Condition: antique piece, professionally cleaned and polished; fully functional and ready to use

• Use: yerba mate, erva‑mate, loose‑leaf infusions in gourd, mug or insulated cup

Care & Maintenance

• Rinse thoroughly after each use and let it dry completely.

• For occasional deep cleaning, you can repeat a mild baking‑soda and aluminum‑foil bath to remove tarnish, followed by a gentle silver‑polish cloth.

• Avoid dishwasher cycles, chlorine, bleach or aggressive chemical silver dips, as they can damage the finish and the vintage character.

• Store it dry, ideally in a soft pouch or wrapped in cloth, to prevent scratches.