A rare George III Silver mounted Coconut Cup and Cover made in London in 1794 by Thomas Phipps and Edward Robinson.
A rare George III Silver mounted Coconut Cup and Cover made in London in 1794 by Thomas Phipps and Edward Robinson.
375544
In England, at this date, Coconuts were extremely expensive and were only enjoyed by the aristocracy and the wealthiest in society. When eaten the nuts were often carved and mounted in silver, however very few examples survive because of their fragile nature and many were broken in the production process. This Coconut stands on a circular foot, made in two sections, and decorated with a reeded edge, as well as a band of engraved foliate motifs on a scratch engraved ground. he Nut is finely carved with a band of shell motifs in circular frames, above a very unusual band of stars and a crescent moon, also in roundels. The sides rise to a silver rim decorated with reeding and prick dot bands. It is unusual to find a coconut cup with cover and this piece has a domed cover which terminates an a Classical urn finial and displays a pretty engraved border of trailing foliate designs and flower heads. This piece is in very good condition and is fully marked in no fewer than three different locations. It has been argued that Thomas Phipps and Edward Robinson made the best silver mounted Coconut Cups during this period and this is a prime example.
Height: 6.8 inches, 17 cm.
Diameter at the rim: 3.5 inches, 8.75 cm.
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