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 defence 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.
View our collection of coconut cups
Maker: Various Makers