Coconut tankard 1600 - 1615

This elaborate coconut tankard was crafted in Germany, sometime in the 17th century, by Andreas Fleischer. It combines the exotic appeal of a natural object with the refined craftsmanship of the silversmith's trade. The coconut itself speaks to Europe's expanding global trade and colonial ambitions. Once a rare luxury, by this time, coconuts had become a symbol of worldly sophistication, a means for the wealthy to display their access to far-off lands. Fleischer's contribution lies in transforming this natural curiosity into an object of status. The silver mounts, adorned with mythological figures and intricate details, elevate the coconut, making it a fit object for display in a well-appointed Kunstkammer, or art cabinet. To fully appreciate the tankard, we need to consider the broader context of collecting practices and courtly culture in 17th-century Europe. Auction catalogs, inventories of royal collections, and treatises on collecting provide valuable insights into the meanings that contemporaries attached to such objects. This is not simply a drinking vessel; it's a window into a world of power, knowledge, and global exchange.