Hunting Cup – “angels And The Serpent” – Folk Art – France – Hunting Cup – Curio

Late 18th – Early 19th century France – Goldsmithing and coconut carving. A hunting cup carved from a coconut, encircled with chased solid silver, elegantly combining the symbols of travel, protection, and victory. The decoration, finely carved across its entire surface, depicts a procession of winged putti holding laurel wreaths, surrounded by floral garlands and interlacing scrolls. The whole, of delicate refinement, expresses the neoclassical grace of the late 18th century, poised between lightness and symbolic triumph. The solid silver band is adorned with a forked-tongued serpent forming the hinge and suspension ring. An ambivalent symbol, it embodies vigilance, regeneration, and the power of the natural cycle, recalling the figure of the guardian or protector. This combination of the exoticism of the coconut, a precious material brought back from the colonies, and the meticulous craftsmanship of European goldsmithing illustrates the century's fascination with curiosities: utilitarian objects, but also testaments to an aristocratic and worldly lifestyle. Used during hunting meals, these cups accompanied the sharing of food and mulled wine, a symbol of friendship and conviviality among hunters. Often suspended from the belt or game bag, they were also given as tokens of esteem or gratitude, becoming over time true objects of prestige and collectibles. Condition: visible and stabilized old crack, beautiful and coherent piece, satiny brown patina. A piece of great symbolic density, combining naturalism and neoclassical imagination. Dimensions: Length: 11 cm Shipping: ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY.