Powder Pear - Popular Work From The Early 19th Century

Powder Pear
Popular work from the early 19th century 
Coconut, coral, nickel silver and nails
Length: 16.5 cm 

A powder flask made from a hollowed coconut, finely engraved with two round medallions showing bust portraits of Napoleon I and a profile of Napoleon III. The latter is accompanied by nine portrait medallions and a floral border. The rest of the pear is finely carved with foliate scrolls. 
The nickel silver beak forms the mouth of an anthropomorphic figure with broad eyebrows, a beard and scrolled hair. Its eyes, with applied metal insets, are set with coral pupils. 
Two suspension rings flaunt the temples of this grotesque face. 

Ref LP : 3728

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON