Entada rheedii (Heart of the Sea) seed pendant depicting a p - Lot 105

Lot n° 105
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Estimation :
700 - 1000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 780EUR
Entada rheedii (Heart of the Sea) seed pendant depicting a p - Lot 105
Entada rheedii (Heart of the Sea) seed pendant depicting a peddler. Germany, 17th/18th century H. 3.4 - L. 2.8 - Thickness 1 cm Piece of leather laminated on the back to support a fastener This curious object was carved from the seed of a large liana of the legume family, Entada gigas, which grows in the tropics near rivers. This plant produces large pods containing flat, rounded seeds, which can travel very far thanks to their high resistance to sea water. Travelling down rivers to estuaries, these seeds can be carried by currents and travel several thousand kilometers, washing up on the beaches of South America and Europe. Known as "Hearts of the Sea" because of their organ-like shape, they are considered by some to be good luck charms and made into pendants. This seems to be the case with this one, as well as another example, recently on the English market, adorned with a Virgin holding a heart and sold as South America, 17th century (fig.). The image of the peddler is reminiscent of a rather European work, which we would be tempted to place in Germany, due to its theme and the guilloches engraved on the small figure's terrace.
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