Rare 18th Century Dutch Figural Snuff Boxes

A pair of rare colonial carved coquilla nut figural snuff boxes, Dutch, 18th century one carved as a cleric wearing a long robe; the other as a European gentleman wearing a long coat with Mother of pearl buttons the largest 8 cm high, 3 cm wide. Provenance: The Leonard Joel Collection, Melbourne. Other Notes: The coquilla nut emanates from swampy areas on the eastern side of South America, from a palm known as the 'attalea funiefera'. Brazilians call it 'Piassabe'. The nuts were introduced into Western Europe in the mid-16th century, and used for small carved objects until the end of the 19th century.