The collections of the Museu Carlos Costa Pinto show the luxury and refinement of the sugar aristocracy in the 17C-19C through exhibits including Baccarat crystals, Bahian jacaranda furniture, silverware and porcelain from China and Japan… Note also the priceless series of balangandãs. These exuberant silver necklaces were worn by slaves, who decorated them with various pendants as and when they could afford to. The jewellery was in effect the sum of their worldly wealth.