About this lot

Description

by Charles Reily & George Storer, London 1830, the half coconut shell topped with a 1.5cm reeded and concave silver border, supported on three fully marked silver foliate feet, diameter 10cm and height 11cm

Footnote: Standing cups were made in Western Europe as far back as the late 15th century, with a major revival in 18th and 19th century England. Although the original examples were largely made of wood, the later examples were more flamboyant, with bowls formed out of such things as coconut shells or ostrich eggs, and were often embellished with silver mounts and feet. It was believed that the shell of the coconut would act as a natural defence against poison. The shell's scarcity meant that only the wealthy were able to afford them and they were considered a luxury item in Georgian England. Due to their comparatively fragile nature, many have not survived and a coconut cup in good condition today is a rare find.

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