Sold 20 April 2026 · Opus Antiques

This “Unusual Coquilla Figural Headed Button Hook” found a buyer.

It was listed by Opus Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This early to mid 1800s novelty button hook is very interesting.

It has a great carved comical head, well made, carved from a coquilla nut. The maker has left the back of the head with the coquilla nut shell still intact so you can see clearly what it was carved from.

It measures 17.5cm l .

A real one off piece.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Coquilla Nut Button Hook to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1196616

Dealers Notes

Own a piece of history

Description

This early to mid 1800s novelty button hook is very interesting.

It has a great carved comical head, well made, carved from a coquilla nut.

“

The maker has left the back of the head with the coquilla nut shell still intact so you can see clearly what it was carved from.

Opus Antiques

It measures 17.5cm l .

A real one off piece.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Coquilla Nut Button Hook to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1196616

About the Dealer

Opus Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2014

Antique treen, boxes & decorative georgian items

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Opus Antiques Profile Page

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An antique coquilla nut button hook featuring a hand-carved grotesque human face handle and a tapered steel shaft.

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Archive I

An Unusual Coquilla Figural Headed Button Hook

Archive II

An antique coquilla nut button hook featuring a hand-carved grotesque human face handle and a tapered steel shaft. View II

Archive III

An antique coquilla nut button hook featuring a hand-carved grotesque human face handle and a tapered steel shaft. View III

Archive IV

An antique coquilla nut button hook featuring a hand-carved grotesque human face handle and a tapered steel shaft. View IV

Archive V

An antique coquilla nut button hook featuring a hand-carved grotesque human face handle and a tapered steel shaft. View V

Archive VI

An antique coquilla nut button hook featuring a hand-carved grotesque human face handle and a tapered steel shaft. View VI

Archive VII

An antique coquilla nut button hook featuring a hand-carved grotesque human face handle and a tapered steel shaft. View VII

Opus Antiques

Telephone 07941 285 532

Location

North Devon
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques

Verified Since Oct 2014

Items For Sale 99

Items Sold 2,403

Email Opus Antiques

An Unusual Coquilla Figural Headed Button Hook

Ref: SA1196616

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Cataloguer’s Note

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectSewing Tools & Accessories
Period19th century
StyleVictorian
MaterialCoquilla Nut, Steel
ColourDark Brown
MotifsCarved figural face, Grotesque expression, Turned handle collar, Curved steel hook

FAQs

Coquilla nut comes from the seed of the Attalea piassava palm native to South America, highly popular in Victorian times for intricate carving into small decorative items such as buttons, boxes, and tool handles due to its hard texture and ability to take a high polish.

Button hooks typically feature a steel hook shaft joined to a handle crafted from materials like bone, ivory, silver, or carved vegetable ivory and nut shells, often secured with metal pins or collars.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-carved details with natural ageing characteristics such as surface patina, minor wear on the metal hook, and the distinct grain and density typical of organic materials like coquilla nut.

These small collectable items can be displayed in shallow glass-topped display cases, arranged inside antique printers trays, or laid upon a wooden surface in a study to add tactile historical interest.

Organic carvings should be kept away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity fluctuations to prevent cracking, and cleaned gently with a dry, soft cloth without the use of chemical polishes.