Coconut Cups & Quaiches
Browse our collection of specialist silver coconuts and quaiches. An excellent range of early silver examples for the collector which are ideal for practical use and make a perfect gift.
Antique Silver Coconut Cups. Coconuts were prized in early times for their healing powers and drinking vessels were often formed from them. The coconut cup is a variety of standing cup, made and used in Europe in the 15th and 16th Century, with a revival in Georgian England. Usually they have a pedestal foot or 3 ornamental feet and are mounted in silver or Old Sheffield plate. Many coconuts were carved on board ship by the sailors (or prisoners of war).
Silver Quaiches. Used in Scotland for centuries, the quaiche is a shallow cup with two, or even three, side handles used to drink spirits such as whiskey or brandy. It is a social drinking vessel, symbolic of friendship and trust, which one person would pass to another with both hands (which would render them incapable of holding a secret weapon). In the centre of the basin usually lies a large coin or medallion, often engraved with a coat of arms, a set of initials, a motto, or a toast such as ‘cheers!’ Over the years the quaiche has become a traditional gift at special occasions such as weddings and christenings.
Coconut Cups & Quaiches
Browse our collection of specialist silver coconuts and quaiches. An excellent range of early silver examples for the collector which are ideal for practical use and make a perfect gift.
Antique Silver Coconut Cups. Coconuts were prized in early times for their healing powers and drinking vessels were often formed from them. The coconut cup is a variety of standing cup, made and used in Europe in the 15th and 16th Century, with a revival in Georgian England. Usually they have a pedestal foot or 3 ornamental feet and are mounted in silver or Old Sheffield plate. Many coconuts were carved on board ship by the sailors (or prisoners of war).
Silver Quaiches. Used in Scotland for centuries, the quaiche is a shallow cup with two, or even three, side handles used to drink spirits such as whiskey or brandy. It is a social drinking vessel, symbolic of friendship and trust, which one person would pass to another with both hands (which would render them incapable of holding a secret weapon). In the centre of the basin usually lies a large coin or medallion, often engraved with a coat of arms, a set of initials, a motto, or a toast such as ‘cheers!’ Over the years the quaiche has become a traditional gift at special occasions such as weddings and christenings.
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Circa 1740
9163 Antique Silver Coconut Cup
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An antique sterling silver mounted goblet with a tall spreading foot. Good size and excellent condition. The top mount has a silver inner lip and a hand engraved crest to the front rim. Contains 430 ml. Height 17.3 cms. Diameter 9.3 cms. The top rim has the makers mark “JS” triple stamped, (see Grimwade ref 3684). Circa 1740.
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Circa 1750
9923 Antique Silver Coconut Cup
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A very charming piece of antique silver. The coconut cup is mounted with an engraved and scalloped silver rim and a low spreading silver foot. The very nice period features include the heart shaped supports at the base of the twin side handles and the little flower shaped nut attaching the silver foot to the coconut. Height 9.2cm (rim), 9.8cm top of (handle). Diameter 8.3cm. Makers mark only “MF” double struck. Probably English circa 1750.
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Circa 1755
James Phipps And William Bond
7713 George II Silver Coconut Cup
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An antique silver mounted coconut cup with engraved and scalloped decoration and standing on three decorative silver feet. Height 10 cms. Diameter 8.5 cms. Makers mark only for William Bond & James Phipps, London. Circa 1755.
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1800
Phipps & Robinson
8629 Antique Silver Coconut Cup
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An antique silver mounted coconut cup on a tall spreading foot. Good size and condition. The silver mount has a silver inner bowl with the original gilding. Hand engraved on the foot is the crest of a castle topped by a bird. Contains 235 ml. Height 14.4 cms. Diameter 8.2 cms. The silver is marked inside the bowl and on the rim and foot for London 1800. Maker Phipps and Robinson.
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Circa 1890
Gebruder Gutgesell
10140 Antique Silver Owl Decanter
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A fantastic antique coconut cup finely modelled in the Renaissance style as an owl with hinged wings and figural strapwork. The silver head, with large cut paste eyes surrounded by tuffs of feathers, is detachable and can be used as a drinking cup. The silver base is intricately modelled as a rocky outcrop mounted with applied insects and amphibians. Total weight, including coconut, 1025 grams. Height 29.5cm. Spread across the wings 19cm. Hanau, Germany. Circa 1890. Maker Gebruder Gutgesell. Silver grade 875/1000.
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1910
William Dunningham & Co Of Aberdeen
8471 Antique Scottish Silver Quaich
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A very good Scottish provincial silver and horn quaich, the two side handles mounted with amethyst or citrine glass jewels. The cup is inset with a silver disc engraved ‘Squab asi’, a Gaelic phrase meaning ‘Sweep it up’, a much used toast in the Highlands of Scotland meaning “Drink heartily, with gusto”. Length 13.7 cms. Diameter 7.3 cms. Height 2.7 cms. Hallmarked silver for Edinburgh 1910. Made by William Dunningham & Co. of Aberdeen.
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