Coco de mer or Seychelles coconut with inscription on patinated steel base

Centuries ago an Indian fisherman pulled a true rarity from his net – a giant double coconut. When he returned home villagers speculated about his catch. Some said it came from a forest at the bottom of the sea, so it was named Coco de mer, or ‘Coconut of the sea.’ Others bestowed it with magical powers, especially to heal.  Finally, when the object was placed in a local temple it began to be worshiped. It became Devi, the divine mother – the universal creative force.

The Lodoicea maldivica, or Coco de mer, is the largest seed in the world

This week’s New Arrival features a Coco de mer. Long ago ocean currents carried it thousands of miles from the Seychelle Islands to India. Upon reaching the shore it was already highly valued as the embodiment of Devi and called a Yoni, which means “womb” in Sanskrit. The inscription on the face illustrates it was worshiped, but its form – so reminiscent of females in both ancient and modern art – reminds us all things in the universe must first be given birth.

(Product SOLD)