Mamulis are small pieces of art made from metal – gold, silver or, as in this case, tinplate. They are used on the Indonesian island of Sumba as ritual exchange gifts. On the occasion of a wedding, the groom's family presents them to the family of the bride. They are always given in pairs: a mamuli mapawisi (a mamuli "with feet" standing for the male side), and a mamuli makamaluku (a "naked" mamuli representing the female principle). This mamuli makamaluku is made from tinplate that supposedly contains traces of silver. Its age is unknown, but it is certainly old and used. Its value is also evident from the fact that it was careful mended with a yellowish metal.