This description has been translated and may not be completely accurate. Click here to see the original
This powder flask, made in a coconut, is very finely carved, it presents on a face, inside a cartouche, a trophy made up of musical instruments, on the other face is a bouquet in a vase, the whole of the nut is carved, on all its surface, of many volutes and foliage scrolls, bouquets, At the base we observe a rosette and at the other end a head of fantastic animal, the eyes are materialized by two pieces of silver metal in the shape of almond, they are surmounted by thick eyebrows, we distinguish the nose and the small holes of the nostrils, as for the mouth it is symbolized by the spout.
If many carved coconuts are the work of convicts or sailors, the most beautiful and finest originate from the workshops of Dieppe ivory makers who put all their knowledge in the realization of these objects.
Dieppe work from the end of the 18th century.
An important crack is visible on the pictures and a small ring is missing.
Dimensions: length 14 cm, diameter about 8 cm.
Ref: JSNT4HM13U