Northwestern Europe / Southeast Asia, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a fine collection of antique coconut shell vessels and ladle, all hand carved and outfitted with brass and wood handles and/ or bases. The first is a ladle with a pewter fitting connecting the lengthy turned wood handle to the side of the husk- perfect for serving water or rum from a deep barrel. The other two are decorative jars or bowls- one with a pedestal made from half of the shell, and the other with brass tripodal feet and a brass handle shaped as a clenched fist. These curious pieces reflect the worldwide market that consumers in the British Empire had available at their fingertips during the Imperial period. The European practice of carving coconuts into precious or useful objects began during the 13th or 15th century and saw a revival in the 18th to 19th centuries. Itinerant traders, sailors, and prisoners were looking for a means to pass the time and created keepsakes for their loved ones. Size (ladle): 14.25" L x 3.5" W (36.2 cm x 8.9 cm)

Provenance: ex-Richardson, Texas, USA collection

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#170078

Perforation to lid on vessel with brass handle and stable fissure on rim. Stable pressure fissure radiating from rim of coconut with carved base. Wood handle slightly lose on ladle and abrasions to handle, but rest is intact and very good.