Good French 18th Century Carved Coquilla Bugbear Snuffbox

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

Rams Head Antiques is a family business based in Wolsingham in Weardale where we have had shop premises for 28 years. The shop is generally open every Saturday from 11 am till 3 pm.

You are most welcome to visit the shop but please always check to confirm we are open before travelling. We have been in the antiques trade for well over thirty years now and stock a wide and varied range of antiques and decorative items specialising in carpets and Eastern and Oriental items as well as Georgian and Victorian furniture, mirrors, oil paintings, prints, ceramics and clocks.

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