106 - Coconut carved into the shape of a powder flask, decorated with cherubs and cornucopias amid leafy scrollwork, with the muzzle of a mythical animal at the tip. Late 18th–Early 19th century. Length: 14 cm

Coconut carved into the shape of a powder flask, decorated with cherubs and cornucopias amid leafy scrollwork, with the muzzle of a mythical animal at the tip. Late 18th–Early 19th century. Length: 14 cm Note: Coconut carving is an ancient craft that developed particularly in tropical regions where the material was abundant. In the 19th century, these hard, polished shells were transformed into utilitarian objects for everyday use or into decorative items sold as curiosities to visiting Europeans. They served as boxes for tobacco or spices, powder flasks, or even cups. Colonial artisans, sailors, and sometimes European workshops engraved them and adorned them with metal mounts. These pieces combined exoticism, ingenuity, and folk craftsmanship.