Carved Coconut-shell Box

Description Carved or decorated coconut shells were popular with collectors around 1600s because of their exotic associations. The intricately flowing but symmetrical pattern of oak, grape and other vine motifs is probably inspired by a late 16th century ornament engraving, as by Hans Collaert (Flemish 1525/30-1580) or Etienne Delaune (French 1518-1583) whose prints explicitly inspired other works in the Study. The monogram "IW" on a cartouche on either side is probably that of the unknown owner.

Conservation

Date	Description	Narrative
6/15/1981	Examination	examined for condition

Provenance M. Léon Aymonier, Paris, 1949 [from the "Merci" Train]; Walters Art Museum, 1949, by gift.

Inscriptions [Inscription] Handwritten in French in ink on paper sticker, inside shell: Noix de coco sculptée d'epoque Louis XIV. / Offert par Monsieur Léon Aymonier, 8 rue Roy à Paris (8)

Credit Gift of M. Léon Aymonier, France, 1949, as part of the "Merci" train, boxcars of presents from French citizens to their counterparts in each of the then forty-eight states.