Erotic German Carved Coquilla Nut and Ivory Pocket Snuff Box

Period: 1600-1700

Origin: Germany

Medium: Ivory, Coquilla Nut

Literature: Coquilla nuts were first seen in Europe in the mid 16th century and were very popular for carving small objects. They are the fruit of the ‘Attalea Funifera’ palm tree, which grows extensively along the eastern side of South America. When freshly collected they are soft and pliable to carve, and the oily nature of the nut makes it ideal for keeping snuff in good condition, preventing it from drying out.