Suriname exhibition at home

29 January 2026

Now that the Allard Pierson Museum is showcasing the locally made slave pipes from our collection, we're exhibiting the Gouda pipes excavated in the former colony, including their unique documentation. The finder recorded all the locations in the 1960s and 1970s, and made drawings of all marks and embossed decorations. This results in a magnificent archive — small works of art, you might say. We're particularly fond of the clay pipes from French Guiana, which are a little different from the Gouda ones and rare. The Gouda clay pipe with the location and year of discovery in pencil is very recognizable: Waterkant '76. It's still Paramaribo's most famous riverside street. Come see it! Open until April 6, 2026.
A detailed article about the finds can be found here.

First acquisition of 2026

18 January 2026

Cigarette manufacturers have come up with the craziest ideas to stimulate smoking. To encourage women in the 1920s, not only were women's cigarettes with gold tips supplied, but each pack also came with a free silk: a miniature Persian-style silk rug. Caravellis, the luxury Egyptian cigarette manufacturer, also published this booklet some time later, with ideas for incorporating the silk into a cushion cover or tea cosy. You'd have to smoke quite a few packs to make one. A local resident found the booklet - almost pristine - while cleaning out and was kind enough to bring it to the museum. Thanks again. It became our first acquisition of the year!

Works of Art from Coquilla Nut

10 January 2026

The world owes much to avid collectors. David Badger from Virginia is one such person. He collects snuff boxes and snuff bottles made from coquilla nut. From the 18th century onward, this hard Brazilian nut was processed into these small utensils with carved images. Several American historians have studied the iconography of these objects. They conclude that much of the carving was done in the West, probably even by Black Brazilians, or African sailors. The origins of the many Napoleonic themes, however, remain a mystery. From a European perspective, we have a different view on the depictions, either serious, funny or caricatures. Our staff wrote a critical review of this really beautifully produced book.