Pepper from the wreck of the Dutch East Indiaman Witte Leeuw before 1613

This pile of peppercorns, dating back to before 1613, was recovered from the wreck of the Dutch East Indiaman Witte Leeuw. The ship, which sank in 1613, was carrying a valuable cargo of spices, including this pepper. This piece provides a tangible link to the lucrative trade in spices that characterized the Dutch Golden Age and its far-reaching influence across the globe. It's now housed in the Rijksmuseum, a testament to the enduring power of history.