A pair of ornamental cups with coco de mer, Italy or France, second half 16th century

Total weight: 2094.5 g

composed of one half of a sea coconut (Lodoicea maldivica), known as coco de mer, smoothed and polished, mounted on an elegant turned base, probably of ebonized wood, and silver. The mount includes decorative details in chased silver, and under the base is the date “1562”. Naturally originating from the Seychelles, these rare fruits were coveted collectors' items in Europe as early as the 16th century, often considered miraculous or aphrodisiac. The mounts, of European manufacture, are probably Italian or French, made in aristocratic or ecclesiastical circles for display in Renaissance Wunderkammern or studioli.