Showman’s Coconuts
Sold
Incredibly rare and almost impossible to find now, 10 19thc hand carved coconuts from a travelling fair.
Each coconut is hand made from Lignum Vitae, one of the hardest woods known to man, now unavailable as it is protected.
The wood has been carved into the shape of a coconut and finished to a smooth touch.
Some still retain their husk.
When the fair came to town the chances of winning were very slim, as each coconut had been filled with lead or stone, making them very heavy and almost impossible to dislodge from the shy.
The showman would always demonstrate knocking a coconut off which had been hollowed and so was incredibly light compared to the others used for the paying public.
These were affectionately known by the showman as “duds”.
The coconuts are very decorative and sculptural, being offered singularly.
The price is for one coconut with 4 original hand turned balls.
Origin: English
Period: c1880s