This is one of the hybrid products made by Peruvian craftsmen under European influence after the Spanish conquest of Peru.The European invasion of the New World brought disastrous consequences for the native population. The invaders brought with them many new diseases against which the local population had no natural immunity and as a result they often died from them. In addition the conquest was largely driven by a desire to obtain vast quantities of gold and silver. Initially finished products were looted and sent home for melting down but soon the local people were put into forced labour down the mines. The poor conditions they suffered led to many further deaths in the local community. It is no exaggeration to say that between them these too causes literally decimated the indigenous people.