Nutmeg with gillt-bronze base, 17th century

Height x width x depth: 19 x 8 x 8 cm. Weight: 115 g.

oval nutmeg, engraved with tribal scenes on one side and bucolic scenes on the other, set in frames and landscapes enriched with floral elements. It is supported by a round base with a smooth stem and a central knot.

The use of carved coconut was common in Europe between the 16th and 17th centuries, especially in prestige objects. Chalices of this type are often associated with the 16th to 17th century. The fine workmanship of the coconut and the use of gilded bronze were typical of objects produced in European workshops, particularly in Germany.