Description:

**Originally Listed At $400**

Western Europe, England or France, ca. 19th century CE. An intriguing example of a powder flask known as a "bugbear," hand-carved from an ovoid coconut. The rounded body tapers up to an abstract anthropomorphic face with red eyes, with a pair of suspension rings that dangle from within two integral loops, and an iron spout which doubles as the mouth of the face; the spout would have had a plug at one time to keep dry the black powder contained within. Bugbear flasks are intended to depict a form of hobgoblin or boogeyman - both folklore creatures that kidnap naughty children - and were typically carved by sailors while at sea. 6 Size: 5.6" L x 3.875" W (14.2 cm x 9.8 cm); 7" H (17.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-Haig's of Rochester, Rochester, Michigan, USA

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#148961

  • Condition: Original spout plug missing. Minor nicks to eyes and nose, with softening to some incised details, and light abrasions to body, otherwise intact and very good. Nice patina throughout.

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June 25, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000