Rare South Carolina carved coconut vessel on stand circa 1865 body heavily carved with scrolling sprigs and vines encircling large palmetto tree with two Confederate flags, on left the Stars and Bars, on right the Confederate Battle Flag (The Southern Cross); in palm fruit stand. (Very good condition) H6" *Note: Tropical coconuts from distant lands were highly prized by Americans and Europeans alike; they regularly appear in the silver inventories of the nobility. They were often heavily carved, and sometimes mounted with ivory and silver. It is commonly thought that seamen whittled them while at sea. It is likely that this coconut vessel was carved by a Charleston CSA navy man. This is presumed because of the presence of the South Carolina state palmetto tree and inclusion of the Stars and Bars and the Naval Battle Flag, both national flags of the Confederacy. Although the more famous First National CSA Flag is often referred to erroneously as the Stars and Bars, this flag is more properly known by that informal title. It was replaced in May 1863 after a number of incidents of battlefield confusion resulted due to its similarity to the U.S. Stars and Stripes. The other, a Confederate Battle Flag, was used as a naval jack during the second half of the war. It was adopted in 1948 as the symbol of Southern Democrats, the so-called "Dixiecrats."