Lot 4001 ♣ - A209 Out of This World - Monday, 17. June 2024, 04.00 PM
COCO DE MER
Lodoicea maldivica
Seychelles
1960
34 × 24 × 13 cm
Seychelles
1960
34 × 24 × 13 cm
For the exportation of this item a CITES license is required. Prospective buyers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. For further information please contact the department.
Provenance: Swiss private collection
The coco de mer, a rare species of palm tree native to the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is the subject of various legends and lore.
Before the Seychelles were discovered and settled, nuts of this species were sometimes carried by the ocean currents to distant shores, such as those of the Maldives, where the tree was unknown. These floating nuts did not germinate. The exceptional size and suggestive form of the nut, the circumstances of its discovery, and some unusual qualities of the trees have given rise to several legends. For centuries, these objects were a classic ‘curiosity cabinet’ item, that was a must for any collection.
Beyond its cultural and artistic significance, the coco de mer is a botanical wonder. Its sheer size, with some fruits weighing up to 40 pounds, and unique growth patterns make it a captivating subject for botanists and nature enthusiasts.
The coco de mer, a rare species of palm tree native to the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean, is the subject of various legends and lore.
Before the Seychelles were discovered and settled, nuts of this species were sometimes carried by the ocean currents to distant shores, such as those of the Maldives, where the tree was unknown. These floating nuts did not germinate. The exceptional size and suggestive form of the nut, the circumstances of its discovery, and some unusual qualities of the trees have given rise to several legends. For centuries, these objects were a classic ‘curiosity cabinet’ item, that was a must for any collection.
Beyond its cultural and artistic significance, the coco de mer is a botanical wonder. Its sheer size, with some fruits weighing up to 40 pounds, and unique growth patterns make it a captivating subject for botanists and nature enthusiasts.
CHF 1 000 / 1 200 | (€ 1 030 / 1 240)
Sold for CHF 2 000 (including buyer’s premium)
All information is subject to change.