These are coconut shell halves finished as bowls. Each one is the shell of a coconut grown in Sri Lanka, with the husk and fibre removed and the shell then sanded and buffed until both the inside and the outside are smooth to the touch.
Polishing brings out what the raw shell hides. The grain comes up as dark chocolate and amber streaking, the surface takes a soft natural sheen, and the rim is cut and smoothed level so the bowl sits properly on a table. What arrives is a finished piece rather than a material to work on — light in the hand, hard-wearing, and with a depth of colour that varies from one shell to the next.
The shells are 100% natural, eco-friendly and biodegradable, made from a part of the harvest that would otherwise be discarded.
Below are some of the ways the polished halves are commonly used:
- Salad and grain bowls — the depth and rounded base suit a single serving of salad, rice or grains.
- Smoothie and açaí bowls — a natural alternative to ceramic for thick blended bowls and their toppings.
- Snack and dip dishes — nuts, olives, crisps, chutneys and dips at the table.
- Dessert and ice-cream bowls — the shell stays cool and reads well against bright fruit.
- Serving pieces — dry goods, condiments and side dishes brought to the table in the shell.
- Candle and tealight holders — the polished interior throws warm reflected light.
- Soap dishes — a smooth, water-tolerant dish for a bar of soap at a basin.
- Trinket and desk dishes — rings, keys, coins, pins and paper clips on a shelf or desk.
- Decorative bowls — filled with pot-pourri, shells or dried flowers as a natural table piece.
- Planters for succulents — a small finished pot for succulents and air plants.
- Table and event styling — used as serving vessels and centrepieces for tropical and rustic settings.
Care — hand-wash in warm water with a mild detergent and dry straight away. Avoid soaking, the dishwasher and the microwave, all of which will dry out and dull a natural shell. An occasional wipe of food-grade oil will bring the colour back up.
Size and variation — each half measures roughly 12 cm (about 4¾ in) across and 10 cm (about 4 in) deep. Because every shell is a natural product, expect a variation of around 20% either way in both measurements, along with differences in colour, grain and marking. No two halves are identical, and they will not come from the same coconut.
