Bugbear box
Mexico or Spain?
Coconut, metal
5.5 by 6.5 inches and 7 inches high on base (14 by 16.5 and 17.7 cm)
Late 19th century

A large carved coconut bugbear in the form of a box with a metal hinged lid. Carved around the lid are the words SOI D. MATYLDE BRENES, which is a Spanish name found in Mexico and Costa Rica. The carved base appears to be newer and doesn’t really support the coconut in a level fashion, but the box tilts even more wildly to the right when supported by the three metal rosettes on the bottom. There are two small cracks from one of the rosettes on the bottom – please see photos.

Coconut shell “bugbears”, sometimes in the form of powder flasks or tea caddies, were said to be carved by sailors during long voyages originating in England, Portugal, France and Spain.
#2614

$1300