A very rare coconut cup, may be a liturgical baptismal bowl,  mounted on embossed and fire gilded copper with double scrolling handle. It is a very original work for connoisseurs and collectors only.

It comes from The Tuscany Granducato and dates back to early 1700. Good condition, wear consistent with age and use.

Coconut cups became popular in the early 16th centuries as it was believed that the shell of the coconut would act as a natural defence against poison.

Coconuts, appreciated as exotic rarities and considered antidotes against poisons, met the favor of the great collectors, especially northern Europeans, who collected them in Kunstkammer as naturalia, but also, once carved and embellished with frames made of precious materials from part of great makers, like sumptuous collectibles. This item the cup was only polished and  then inserted into the frame.