107 - Half coconut wedding souvenir, with carved decoration on one side of a colonial palace framed by a profile of a lady and a general of the Empire under the inscription "J825 Batavia" and on the other side of an eagle with spread wings surrounded by flaming hearts, on a background of rouelles, rosettes and squares Early XIXᵉ century Length: 13 cm

Half coconut wedding souvenir, with carved decoration on one side of a colonial palace framed by a profile of a lady and a general of the Empire under the inscription "J825 Batavia" and on the other side of an eagle with spread wings surrounded by flaming hearts, on a background of rouelles, rosettes and squares Early XIXᵉ century Length: 13 cm Note: Coconut carving is an ancient craft that developed particularly in tropical areas where the material was abundant. In the XIXᵉ century, these hard, polished shells were transformed into utilitarian objects and intended for everyday use or decorative and sold as curiosities to visiting Europeans. They were used as tobacco or spice boxes, powder flasks or drinking cups. Colonial craftsmen, sailors and sometimes European workshops engraved them and adorned them with metal mounts. These pieces combined exoticism, ingenuity and popular know-how.