German, Germany

This beaker’s wondrous design features flappable wings and a detachable head that serves as both cap and cup. Formed of a natural coconut-shell body with precious gilded silver mounts, it stands on delicate legs, stabilized by the tail. Unusual objects like this were collected by European nobles for their kunstkammers, or cabinets of curiosities. Coconuts—shipped from India and South and Central America—were rare in the 1500s in northern Germany but valued as medicinal and restorative. Coconut milk was considered a remedy or an aphrodisiac.