Name/Title
"Perga" — paraffined-paper disposable cup, "CARNAVAL" designEntry/Object ID
2025.1.176Description
A tall, slightly tapered (conical) disposable cup of paraffin-waxed paperboard, seamed up one side and open at the top (capacity on the order of a half-liter), now aged to a mottled cream with paraffin discoloration and staining. It is printed in two colors (terracotta/orange and blue): the word "CARNAVAL" runs vertically in blue block capitals down one side, and a cartoon shows a man — blue trousers and shoes, white shirt, orange hair — striding while holding up a foaming glass of beer, with small comic stars/squiggles around him. No brand name or maker text is visible. This is a "perga," the paraffined-paper cup used to serve beer and malta sold by the cup (a granel) at Cuban carnivals.Use
Gertrudis Caraballo Gálvez kept a stack of them behind a row of books in a bookshelf, probably forgotten.Collection
The Cabrera Arús family collectionInscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
"CARNAVAL" (vertical, blue block capitals). Printed cartoon (man with a foaming beer glass; stars/squiggles). No brand or maker text.Materials
Material Notes
Materials: Paperboard with paraffin (wax) coating; printing inks (terracotta/orange, blue).
Technique: Formed (rolled and side-seamed) paraffined-paperboard cup; surface-printed two-color illustration and lettering. Disposable single-use ware.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Gertrudis Caraballo GálvezNotes
ownerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
use, acquisitionCreated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
April 25, 2026Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 6, 2026