Rams Head Antiques

Description

A good antique carved Coquilla Bugbear snuffbox probably French, late 18th century.
The hinged snuff box is well carved with a good hunting scene to the lid with hunter rifle and gun dog among trees. The other side has a winged angel playing a harp. The bugbear face to the end is well detailed with glass eyes and mouth inset. It measures 9 cms by 4 cms by 4 cms.

A bugbear is a legendary creature or type of hobgoblin comparable to the boogeyman (or bugaboo or babau or cucuy) and other creatures of folklore, all of which were historically used to frighten disobedient children.

Coquillas are the nuts of the attalea funifera or the piassaba palm tree which can be
found extensively distributed on the eastern side of South America. The trees grow
in swampy ground or partially flooded river banks. They are generally egg shape and
size, they are a rich brown colour and are very hard and brittle taking a high polish
and are of an oily nature. They were first introduced into Europe in the mid-16th cen-
tury and enjoyed popularity for small turned and carved objects until the end of the
19th century. It is the shell which is used not the kernel and their oily nature makes
them ideal for snuff boxes as it stops the snuff drying out. Coquilla nuts have also
been used for: ornamental handles, pomanders, pincushions, rosaries and rosary
cases, scent flasks, mutineers, pocket spice boxes and flea traps to name a few.

UK delivery is £10