Live Auction 9935Out of the Ordinary
A CARVED COCO-DE-MER (LODOICEA MALDIVICA)
Lot 13

A CARVED COCO-DE-MER (LODOICEA MALDIVICA)

WEST COAST OF INDIA OR CEYLON, 19TH CENTURY

Closed5 September 2013

Price Realised

GBP 13,750

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A CARVED COCO-DE-MER (LODOICEA MALDIVICA)
WEST COAST OF INDIA OR CEYLON, 19TH CENTURY
Of typical form opening to the top on both sides, the top carved with stylised birds, the body with figures within arches, supported on four elephants and profusely carved foliate base
18 in. (46 cm.) high; 13½ in. (34.2 cm.) wide

Specialist note

The Coco de Mer is a palm endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. Until the true source of the nut was discovered in 1768, it was believed by many to grow on a mythical tree at the bottom of the sea. European collectors in the sixteenth century would often have the shells of the nut cleaned and decorated with valuable jewels.