COCONUT SHY DUMMIES
Hand carved lignum vitae with lead filled bases
c 1890, English fairground
£155 each, 285 the pair
Dimensions
H 22 / 24 cm (8.5 / 9.5 ") Diameters 13 cm (5")
Description
Cunning dummies with bases hollowed out and additionally weighted with lead. Carved in super dense lignum vitae hardwood these dummies were disguised, 'dressed' in coconut fibres and impossible to knock off their perch with a light pinewood ball at the coconut shy. A shyster's trick ! No wonder there was often just one 'coconut' left standing to deny the top prize being won.
As sculptural forms they are beautifully shaped examples of folk art, wonderfully tactile and a rueful reminder of the dark arts of the fairground hustler.
Excellent as sculptures or a doorstop.
English, c 1890
Stock No. 1997