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.

A rare Model of Hydraulic Pump for Irrigation probably made for educational use as suggested by the scale, ten inches high, and the inventory numbers of the paper label. The iron pump was realized at the late 19th century, as both threads and small parts used reveal and was entirely handmade, mounted on a wooden trolley with iron wheels and supporting legs; both pump body and flywheel rotate on the vertical axis. Wooden winch. Italian Origin. 1880 circa.