Original Items. One-of-a-Kind. This is a lovely pair of original English carved naval coconuts, known as a "bugbear". Being a fully carved coconut shell with traditional naval and masonic symbols, the opening in the top represents the mouth with the two other still plugged holes representing the eyes of the "wind ". The first is a bit smaller, measuring 2¼ x 3¼”, while the second is larger, being 4 x 5”.

The first & smaller Bugbear is named to C. Hodges of the 35th Regiment of Foot, and is dated May 6th, 1822, for service on the island of Antigua, Britain's "Gateway to the Caribbean". This example is unfortunately damaged with a large piece being close to breaking off, but it remains in place for the purpose of display. The bottom of this example is very meticulously carved with a flat bottom, however it does not stand on its own. There is a lovely carving of a church & a soldier in full uniform with the caption PEACE & PLENTY. There are depictions of women at their windowsills with the sun and the moon, and the eyes of the wind are very well-detailed. This example could use some further research to identify Hodges!

The second & larger Bugbear is identified to . This example has a gorgeous carving of a wooden ship towing a small dinghy, with other motifs of plantlife and bottles of alcohol. There is a strung bugle device flanked by "63" and "LI", indicating that the owner served in the Light Infantry Company of the 63rd Regiment of Foot. The 63rd served in the West Indies during most of the Napoleonic period, returning to Britain in 1816. The top is carved with H. WOODGATE LXIII. Included with the bugbear are some pages of research on Woodgate’s service, although some records show his last name as Woodgett, as many of these early records had spelling errors. But there are a few online which do read as Woodgate, so we are confident in the identification. This one still retains the original small carrying rope, but one of the small devices in the eyes are missing. Otherwise, this is a tremendous example.

This is a gorgeous set of Bugbears which require a lot more research work! Comes ready for further research and display!