S/4954 Antique Sailor Work Coconut Dipping Cup of the Georgian Period

A rare sailor work coconut dipping cup of the Georgian Period, which is a most interesting example of a coconut cup with a carved comical face to one end, similar to what one finds on bug bears, having hair, eyebrows, eyes, nose and moustache. The whole is beautifully carved with a hole for a carrying thong, so that a sailor could have fastened it to his belt. There are two incised lines on the edge and so that it would sit upright on a table, it has a circular raised central boss with a carved rope twist surround. It is an extremely tactile item, of a dark natural colour and has excellent patination.

Sold 5 in. (12.5 cm.) Wide
4 in. (10 cm.) Deep
2 in. (5 cm.) High
English Circa 1800