Coco De Mer: The World's Largest Seed

A 19th century Coco De Mer seed, known as the largest seed in the world, the Lodoicea, sea coconut or 'Coco De mer' is endemic to the Seychelles islands of Praslin and Curieuse. Its suggestive shape resembling a female buttock, together with its smooth surface and dark chocolate hue, have made the coco De mer an object of fascination, especially among 16th-century European aristocrats who would collect them and decorate them with precious jewels. Prior to the discovery of their true origin, it was believed that coco de mer grew on a mysterious tree at the bottom of the ocean as they would first sink due to their density but then rise up to the surface once they have decayed internally. Carried by the currents, they were found on distant shores where these trees do not grow and would nourish collectors' fantasies. Provenance: Believed to have been part of the Manawatu Museum collection, which closed in 1936 after a cyclone flooded the Museum. The seed was later found in a ceiling cavity of the Palmerston north Normal Intermediate school C. 1963 and gifted to the current owner. Old label attached to surface, mm, length 31 cm, width 24 cm, height 15 cm