a life size studio pottery lodociea maldivica commonly known as a " coco de mer ," basket by humfrey wakefield.
life size ... 260mm wide x 300mm long x 150mm high
weight ... 2.7kg
humfrey trained as a pilot during ww2. after the cessation of hostilities he attended oxford university to study classical history and philosophy, including archaeology and greek pottery. he met and married his wife helena in 1956.
he was fascinated by the way the greeks made their pots and vases, and stuck them together, so after a crash course in pottery lasting a fortnight, and making his own potter's wheel – which he allways used – he established himself as a potter in his fathers house on st.marys, isles of scilly. humfrey wakefield was a potter for more than 50years. his work illustrated his wide knowlege, interests and influences. he was a keen archaeologist and many of his pots were in the greek style.
The coco de mer sometimes known as the double coconut or sea coconut is the largest nut / seed pod known to man. it ordinates from a palm indigenous to the Seychelles. the largest nuts can weigh up to 25 kg and grow up to half a metre long. The nuts are highly prized and can fetch up to £2000 on the open market. Due to over harvesting the lodicea palms are now on the endangered list and harvesting of the nuts is carefully guarded.
