Coveted status symbol

You are now in the depot of Museum de Lakenhal. These holders are graced by a coconut - a beloved object among the European elite during the 16th and 17th century. Brought along as exclusive 'rarities' from faraway places by a small group of travellers, these coconuts were almost as valuable as the gilded holders they were crowned with after arrival.

And as if that wasn't enough, wood carvers adorned the hard, extremely brittle shell with a memorable story - a challenge that was seen as a victory of art over nature. And if we zoom in, we can clearly see what event the goblet celebrates.