Bombilla

[2] Filters can be removable and can be opened for cleaning, or they may be permanently fixed to the bombilla stem.

[4] In recent times, the traditional silver bombillas are being replaced by ones made from stainless steel.

[5] Silver bombillas were used by the privileged classes, while those made of straw were used by people of lesser means.

[2] Due to the high thermal conductivity of silver, bombillas and gourds made of silver can get very hot fast, requiring caution when drinking hot mate tea to avoid burns.

[2][7][8] The Spanish term is also used for electric lightbulbs, bombilla eléctrica, being a diminutive of bomba.

Two stamped 800 silver bombillas with gold plated heads and removable filters. The filter in the middle of the picture is detached from the bombilla tube at the bottom of the picture and is shown in the open position which is used for cleaning the filter. Once the filter is folded, the two semicircular filter threads form a circular threaded neck allowing the filter to screw into the tube. The bombilla tubes are decorated.