Description
This book presents the first comprehensive study of the coconut shell cups used for drinking chocolate, combining archival research with analysis of surviving examples in museum and private collections, and brings to light a largely overlooked artistic tradition.
Situating these objects within the wider history of chocolate, the book traces the transformation of cacao from a ceremonial beverage in the Americas to a globally traded drink. It explores how coconuts – valued as rare and ‘magical’ objects – were adopted as vessels and developed into elaborate luxury items mounted in silver. The study reveals the interconnected world of the early modern period, highlighting the movement of materials, ideas, and artistic practices across continents.
