Tagua ("tah-gwa") nuts, a type of coconut seed, commonly known as "vegetable ivory", earned its name from its ivory-like color and texture.

With the near extinction of animal ivory, tagua nuts have become a highly valued commodity by artisans and consumers alike. Tagua nuts have the appearance and carving properties similar to animal ivory, but with the added benefit of promoting forest and habitat conservation.

Tagua nuts or seeds are contained in pods. A set of pods is called a cabeza. They grow on the tagua palm tree (Phytelepas Equatorialis) in Ecuador. Each fruit of about 25 pounds contains 4 to 9 seeds (or nuts) about the size of a hen's egg. When the pod is first taken from the tree, the nuts or seeds within that pod are very soft, with a consistency of jell-o. They are edible and can be purchased at fruit and vegetable stands along the road in Ecuador.

Here we offer a selection of Tagua Nuts that are carved by the men of the Wounaan tribe of Panama, considered by many to be the most accomplished artisans in the area of Tagua Nut carving and painting.