Carved Coquilla Nut Pocket Snuff Box

An Unusual and Finely Carved Coquilla Nut Pocket Snuff Box
In the form of a seated wild boar, his legs and trotters tucked underneath him, his snout with tusks and his eyes inlaid with horn and mother of pearl. A hinged lid on his back opening to reveal an inner cavity for the snuff
Probably French sailors work
Late 18th – early 19th Century
Size: 7.5cm long, 3.5cm wide, 3cm high – 3 ins long, 1½ ins wide, 1 ins high
Coquilla’s are the nuts of the ‘attalea funifera’, a palm tree which is called ‘piassaba’ in Brazil and which also provides a tough fibre used in the making of brooms. It grows in swampy ground or partially flooded land extensively down the eastern side of South America. Coquilla nuts were first seen in Europe in the mid 16th century and were used to make small carved or turned objects and boxes until the end of the 19th century. The oily nature of the nut makes it ideal for keeping the snuff moist and in good condition.

Carved Coquilla Nut Pocket Snuff Box

Main image

SOLD

Mini image
Mini image

ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk
Mini image
Mini image

ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk