Coconut cup

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This 'coconut cup' is made from a coconut shell, with silver mounts attached. It may date from the late 16th century. The maker's mark 'IH' has not yet been identified.

The arms of George Sinclair of May and his wife Margaret Forbes are engraved on the rim with the date, 1588.

Because of their rarity at this time, coconuts were often converted into drinking cups with elaborate silver mounts.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-082-005-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1960.762
• Date: Late 16th century
  
• Material: Coconut shell, silver. Inscription: Beneath foot: key; [two illegible marks]; on upper rim: IH [?]; on foot: Forss 1608; on upper rim: M / three boars' heads couped muzzled / F; G / a cross engrailed / S; 1588
  Cup, coconut
  
• Dimensions: 179 mm H; rim 110 mm D; foot 111 mm D
  
• What: Cup, coconut
  
• Subject:
• Who: George Sinclair of Mey, Chancellor of Caithness (Probable owner)
  Margaret Forbes (Probable owner)
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Coconut cup with silver mounts, possibly late 16th century, engraved on the rim with two coats-of-arms, one flanked by the initials 'G' and 'S', the other by 'M' and 'F', with date '1588'
  
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