A stunning coco de mer nut adorned with silver-plated mounts, showcasing two hinged compartments that gracefully open to reveal storage compartments. This exquisite piece, dating back to the latter part of the 19th century, stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of its era. The marriage of the rare coco de mer nut and the intricately detailed silver-plated mounts creates a harmonious blend of natural beauty and refined elegance, making it a captivating collector's item and a timeless artefact that speaks to the artistic sensibilities of the late 19th century.

The coco de mer nut (scientific name: Lodoicea) is a very rare seed native to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, its suggestive form leading to all sorts of legendary fables. Many were collected by seafarers and gifted to royalty and noblemen who saw them symbols of fertility and embellished them with jewels and precious metals.

Until the source of the nut was discovered in 1768, it was believed to grow on a mythical tree at the bottom of the sea because it was once believed to be a sea-bean or drift seed, a seed evolved to be dispersed by the sea. However, it is now known that the viable nut is too dense to float, and only rotted out nuts can be found on the sea surface, thus explaining why the trees are limited in range to just two islands.

Condition: some tarnishing to the silver plated mounts otherwise excellent, please refer to photographs

Dimensions: 36cm high, 27cm wide, 17cm deep