Antique Silver-mounted Coconut Cup by John Harvey 1750

This is one of the best antique silver mounted coconut cups we have ever seen with the intended use being as a wine goblet.

The coconut is mounted to the top with a wide silver rim that is decorated to the lower half with chased demi-shells and vine tendrils complete with leaves and grapes. This design is continued in a band around the silver foot and even to the knop halfway up the stem. The detailing is quite exquisite. The theme of the decoration suggests that the cup was used for drinking wine.

Coconut cups were popular from the Middle Ages in Europe and caught on as a fashion during the mid-18th century in the UK. As coconuts were highly prized, they were used as a status symbol among the wealthy and as such were a sought after form of goblet or standing cup. Many lack markings, however this example is clearly marked to the underside with the distinctive mark of the London silversmith John Harvey.

Few coconut cups survive in good condition, however this one is excellent throughout with no cracks to the nut and the silver all being in fine order with crisp decoration. A superb piece of Georgian silver!