Carved Coconut Shell Flask with Three Relief Panels

Description

CARVED COCONUT SHELL FLASK WITH THREE RELIEF PANELS, 

Probably West Indies or Maritime Colonial 

 

A finely executed carved coconut shell flask with three detailed oval relief panels, each surrounded by animal, leaf, and geometric borders. One panel displays a spread-wing American eagle above a panoply of arms, enclosed in a laurel wreath. A second panel prominently features the intertwined cipher “G R” (Georgius Rex) — the royal cypher used under multiple British monarchs — flanked by tall palm trees with a lion beneath, strongly suggesting a British colonial or West Indies association. 

 

The third panel depicts a charming narrative scene of two cherubs above a man and woman, the man shown in naval uniform, amid flowering foliage — likely a sentimental or commemorative maritime motif. 

 

The flask is further enriched with dense cross-hatched fields, stylized animal figures, and leaf carving around the lower body. It retains its original silver (or silver-plated) spout and suspension chain, both period and intact. The coconut shows a rich, warm patina from age and handling. 

Height: 6 1/4 in. 

 

A handsome carved coconut flask combining British royal imagery, colonial symbolism, and maritime decorative tradition, typical of West Indies craftsmanship and sailor-made objects of the era. 

 

Inventory Number: CAN 211