Cup
ca. 1630 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The nut from the tropical coconut palm (cocos nucifera) forms the bowl of the cup and is set in silver mounts. Coconuts were more easily and cheaply available in Britain than other imported materials that were considered exotic, such as ostrich eggs. By the mid-16th century they had declined in popularity, as more unusual materials became available in Western Europe. The mounts on coconut cups of this date are usually much plainer than earlier ones. There is no decoration on the mounts of this example, but the shimmering, smooth surfaces of the plain mounts make an elegant contrast to the highly-polished dark bowl.
Ownership & Use
From the 13th century coconuts and other organic materials such as shells and ostrich eggs were highly valued in Western Europe for their rarity and exoticism. Easily turned on a lathe and polished, coconuts were transformed by the addition of silver or silver-gilt mounts to form an intrinsic part of the 'Curiosities' of a princely collectors' cabinet. Although often taking the form of functional vessels, mounted coconut cups were intended as display pieces. Coconut cups continued to be produced in the 17th century, but they were no longer considered as 'curiosities' unless they were intricately carved.
The nut from the tropical coconut palm (cocos nucifera) forms the bowl of the cup and is set in silver mounts. Coconuts were more easily and cheaply available in Britain than other imported materials that were considered exotic, such as ostrich eggs. By the mid-16th century they had declined in popularity, as more unusual materials became available in Western Europe. The mounts on coconut cups of this date are usually much plainer than earlier ones. There is no decoration on the mounts of this example, but the shimmering, smooth surfaces of the plain mounts make an elegant contrast to the highly-polished dark bowl.
Ownership & Use
From the 13th century coconuts and other organic materials such as shells and ostrich eggs were highly valued in Western Europe for their rarity and exoticism. Easily turned on a lathe and polished, coconuts were transformed by the addition of silver or silver-gilt mounts to form an intrinsic part of the 'Curiosities' of a princely collectors' cabinet. Although often taking the form of functional vessels, mounted coconut cups were intended as display pieces. Coconut cups continued to be produced in the 17th century, but they were no longer considered as 'curiosities' unless they were intricately carved.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Coconut, mounted in silver |
| Brief description | Coconut cup |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Maker's mark 'WR' under an arch in a plain shield struck on the foot and lip mount |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
MOUNTED NATURAL CURIOSITIES European collectors mounted natural curiosities such as shells, coconuts, or unusual stones to emphasise their rarity and value. As European trade expanded in Asia, Africa and the Americas after 1600, these objects became less unusual. By the 1630s mounted cups could be found in households below the level of the nobility. They might be displayed with other treasures such as porcelain or collections of unmounted shells and coral.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Mrs C.M. Spear |
| Object history | Made by an unidentified craftsman in London |
| Summary | Object Type The nut from the tropical coconut palm (cocos nucifera) forms the bowl of the cup and is set in silver mounts. Coconuts were more easily and cheaply available in Britain than other imported materials that were considered exotic, such as ostrich eggs. By the mid-16th century they had declined in popularity, as more unusual materials became available in Western Europe. The mounts on coconut cups of this date are usually much plainer than earlier ones. There is no decoration on the mounts of this example, but the shimmering, smooth surfaces of the plain mounts make an elegant contrast to the highly-polished dark bowl. Ownership & Use From the 13th century coconuts and other organic materials such as shells and ostrich eggs were highly valued in Western Europe for their rarity and exoticism. Easily turned on a lathe and polished, coconuts were transformed by the addition of silver or silver-gilt mounts to form an intrinsic part of the 'Curiosities' of a princely collectors' cabinet. Although often taking the form of functional vessels, mounted coconut cups were intended as display pieces. Coconut cups continued to be produced in the 17th century, but they were no longer considered as 'curiosities' unless they were intricately carved. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.39-1970 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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