Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Mounted Coconut Cup

This impressive antique Victorian sterling silver mounted coconut cup has a circular rounded form onto a circular pedestal foot.

The upper portion of the cup is encircled with an impressive, applied hallmarked provincial Scottish sterling silver border to the rim accented with a plain applied moulded border.

The plain coconut vessel surmounts a fine and impressive knopped pedestal and circular foot, encircled with bright cut engraved interlacing pendant drop style decoration.

The interior of this antique coconut cup bears a hallmarked sterling silver pedestal fitment assayed in Birmingham, 1873 and bearing the maker’s mark George Unite.

Note: Coconut cups were popular in the late 15th and early 16th centuries as it was believed that the shell of the coconut would act as a natural defense against poison. The shells shape and scarcity of the commodity enabled the wealthy to mount the shells in precious metals to allow them to be used as respectable and highly treasured drinking vessels.

Condition
This antique coconut cup is a very good gauge of silver, excellent quality and in excellent presentation condition. The bright cut engraved decoration is all very crisp. Full hallmarks struck to the interior of the vessel and part hallmarks to the underside of the foot are all very clear. The Scottish provincial silver maker’s marks have wear in keeping with age and use, but remain legible.

Dimensions
Diameter of rim 8.2cm/3.2″
Diameter of body 7.8cm/3.1″
Diameter of foot 9.8cm/3.9″
Height 17.6cm/6.9″

Weight
An accurate weight of silver cannot be provided as cup has a coconut shell drinking vessel.

Maker: Various Makers
Date: 1873
Origin: Birmingham / Scotland

Video: A video of this fine piece is available upon request.

Reflections in photographs may detract from the true representation of this piece of Victorian silverware.