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A sailor’s carved coconut Bugbear powder flask

Offered by: Wick Antiques LTD

Description
A sailor’s carved coconut Bugbear powder flask. This carved coconut is carved with two ovals, one showing a military panoply with standards, bayonets, swords and bugles all above a five-pointed Maltese cross, the other with a musical trophy. The open end is carved into a face with inlaid eyes and a moustache, the other end has a collar of pointed leaves, all on an arabesque ground. There are two rings for a chain. English, circa 1820.

“Bugbear” coconut shell powder flasks, were reputedly carved by sailors or marines who visited the East or West Indies in the late 18th/early 19th centuries and had access to green coconut shells which were easier to carve than dried ones. There are examples of goblets and treen of similar workmanship attributed to French, English, Portuguese and Spanish sailors. These bugbears served the double purpose of filling the long hours away from home, and creating curios and keepsakes for loved ones or for sale.

More Information

Origin:	England
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Coconut
Condition:	Good.
Creation Date:	Circa 1820
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	712360

Dimensions

H.	5 in;	Diam.	4 in;
H.	12.7 cm;	Diam.	10.16 cm;

Message from Seller:

Wick Antiques, established by Charles Wallrock in the early 1980s, specializes in fine antiques with a reputation built on extensive knowledge and long-standing relationships, including with Harrods. Contact Charles at 44.159.067.7558 or via email at charles@wickantiques.co.uk for exceptional pieces curated by a team with expertise in Islamic, Japanese, and fine works of art.