Anonymous

These delicately carved coconut shells depict scenes that may feel instantly familiar Cayman-style cottages, trees heavy with foliage, and even a tidy front fence. One bowl is simply inscribed with the word “Cayman," marking it not only as a crafted object but as a keepsake of place.

Carved coconuts and calabashes were once common across the Caribbean and beyond, especially in the 19th century. Sailors often received or exchanged them as tokens of good luck or memory, maritime souvenirs that travelled as far as their givers did. In this case, the coconut, an everyday material, becomes a canvas for storytelling and remembrance.

These bowls may have been crafted for personal use, while works like these could also have been produced as tourist crafts. The origins and maker of these works are unknown.