Large Coco de Mer Flamingo with Silver-Plated Head and Neck

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

A striking and substantial decorative sculpture combining a large natural coco de mer with a beautifully modeled silver-plated flamingo head and gracefully curved neck. Measuring an impressive 18 inches high, the distinctive 12.5-inch-long double-lobed coco de mer forms the body of the bird, its rich dark brown surface and extraordinary organic contours providing a dramatic contrast to the highly polished silver-plated metal. The long, sinuous neck terminates in a finely detailed flamingo head with relief eyes, subtle feather detailing, and characteristically curved beak, while a silver-plated mount elegantly joins the neck to the natural seed.

The coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica) is one of the great curiosities of the natural world. Indigenous exclusively to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles, this remarkable palm produces the largest seed of any plant in the world. Its unmistakable double-lobed form has fascinated explorers, naturalists, royalty, and collectors for centuries. Before its true origin became known to Europeans, nuts were occasionally discovered after traveling by sea and were surrounded by legends that they grew on mysterious trees beneath the ocean—giving rise to the name coco de mer, or “coconut of the sea.” Its rarity, extraordinary scale, and unmistakable sculptural form made the coco de mer a prized addition to European natural-history collections and cabinets of curiosities.

In this imaginative example, the naturally rounded form of the seed has been cleverly reinterpreted as the body of a flamingo. The juxtaposition of the warm, richly patinated coco de mer with the cool brilliance of the silver-plated head and neck creates a sophisticated marriage of natural history, craftsmanship, and playful design. Both sculptural and wonderfully eccentric, this unusual object has considerable presence and would make a memorable addition to a cabinet of curiosities, library, bar, or eclectic interior.

Overall: 18 in. H × 22in. L
Coco de mer: 12.5 in. L