Laos Powder Flask

trenchwarfare · 26th January 2009, 05:53 PM

First, I apologise for the crappy pictures. I have what was listed as a powder flask from Laos. Seller stated that it was made of leather. It does appear to be leather, but there is no seam, or stitching. Size of the flask itself is very small, 2 1/4" tall, 1 3/4" wide. Shows a great deal of age. As there is no seam, and it does appear to be leather, what is it made from. The only thing I can come up with is a monkey scrotum, or simiular body part? The plug is wood, and there is a wood or bamboo insert, in the neck. Also on the bottom is what appears to be veins visible in the surface. I'm stumped. Any ideas? M.P.

Atlantia · 26th January 2009, 07:14 PM

LOL, I just NEVER thought we'd end up discussing the veins on a Monkeys scrotum here!

trenchwarfare · 26th January 2009, 08:18 PM

Ain't life full of surprises!?

Atlantia · 26th January 2009, 08:47 PM

Indded! Certainly if you're a monkey apparently!!

On a serious note, I would think the leather is too thick to be a Monkeys boy-bag.
I would think (and please understand I am no expert on scrotums) that its probobly from a slightly larger aninmal and 'shrunk' down to that size.
Probobly a goat or ram.

trenchwarfare · 26th January 2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Indded! Certainly if you're a monkey apparently!!

On a serious note, I would think the leather is too thick to be a Monkeys boy-bag.
I would think (and please understand I am no expert on scrotums) that its probobly from a slightly larger aninmal and 'shrunk' down to that size.
Probobly a goat or ram.

I had thought about the possiblity of a bigger critter. Even a two-legged one. (poor guy) Also, Could be something internal? I don't know what, I've looked at lots of animal innards. Fish part? Vegetable matter? There is pleating at the top. I guess it could just be a piece of hide. Seems like being that small at the opening, there would be a seam of some sort. Is it even a powder flask? I bought it cuz I have two flintlock "monkey" guns from that region of the world. Also, it was real cheap!

Atlantia · 27th January 2009, 12:19 AM

Hmmm, I tyhought it looked a bit voodoo for a second!
I can only think of one internal organ without an exit and its the appendix, so it not one of them.
Bladder would be the obvious choice but theres nop exit.

There is a long tradition of making stuff out of scrotums.
So I think it could well be.
Unless it is a formed piece of hide and has been stretched and shaved to minimise creaing.
But that seems like a lot of trouble to go to.
Hopefully other forumites will come and enlighten us?

Kino? You must have some thoughts?

BANDOOK · 15th July 2014, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

I had thought about the possiblity of a bigger critter. Even a two-legged one. (poor guy) Also, Could be something internal? I don't know what, I've looked at lots of animal innards. Fish part? Vegetable matter? There is pleating at the top. I guess it could just be a piece of hide. Seems like being that small at the opening, there would be a seam of some sort. Is it even a powder flask? I bought it cuz I have two flintlock "monkey" guns from that region of the world. Also, it was real cheap!

hi please could you put up pictures of your moneky guns from laos,as I recently bought 2 at auction in new Zealand,cheers

kino · 26th January 2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

LOL, I just NEVER thought we'd end up discussing the veins on a Monkeys scrotum here!

ROTFLMAO, too much!!!

Nonoy Tan · 29th January 2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

N. T. Have you ever seen one of those containers? If yes, are they similar to the container in question. Seller may have been wrong about it being a powder flask. It is awfully small, for that purpose. M.P.

A specimen of the lime container is kept in a private collection (not mine) in Manila, Philippines. It is similarly mentioned in a book entitled "Tabayag" (a photo book of lime containers from Northern Luzon Philippines). Unfortunately, no photo there of a scrotum specimen (as the Tabayag book shows lime containers from a different collector exclusivley). The human scrotum is simply mentioned, but I believe there is a photo of lime container made of deer scrotum.

Nonoy Tan · 29th January 2009, 03:28 AM

HTML Code:

N. T. Have you ever seen one of those containers? If yes, are they similar to the container in question. Seller may have been wrong about it being a powder flask. It is awfully small, for that purpose. M.P.

You can verify if it is a lime container ("Tabayag") by checking the inside for traces of lime powder.

The Filipino-speaking members of the forum can probably tell us what "Bayag" means

26th January 2009, 05:53 PM	#1
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Laos Powder Flask First, I apologise for the crappy pictures. I have what was listed as a powder flask from Laos. Seller stated that it was made of leather. It does appear to be leather, but there is no seam, or stitching. Size of the flask itself is very small, 2 1/4" tall, 1 3/4" wide. Shows a great deal of age. As there is no seam, and it does appear to be leather, what is it made from. The only thing I can come up with is a monkey scrotum, or simiular body part? The plug is wood, and there is a wood or bamboo insert, in the neck. Also on the bottom is what appears to be veins visible in the surface. I'm stumped. Any ideas? M.P. Attached Images

29th January 2009, 03:28 AM	#10
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	HTML Code: N. T. Have you ever seen one of those containers? If yes, are they similar to the container in question. Seller may have been wrong about it being a powder flask. It is awfully small, for that purpose. M.P. You can verify if it is a lime container ("Tabayag") by checking the inside for traces of lime powder. The Filipino-speaking members of the forum can probably tell us what "Bayag" means

26th January 2009, 07:14 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	LOL, I just NEVER thought we'd end up discussing the veins on a Monkeys scrotum here!

26th January 2009, 08:18 PM	#3
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Ain't life full of surprises!?

26th January 2009, 08:47 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Indded! Certainly if you're a monkey apparently!! On a serious note, I would think the leather is too thick to be a Monkeys boy-bag. I would think (and please understand I am no expert on scrotums) that its probobly from a slightly larger aninmal and 'shrunk' down to that size. Probobly a goat or ram.

27th January 2009, 12:19 AM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hmmm, I tyhought it looked a bit voodoo for a second! I can only think of one internal organ without an exit and its the appendix, so it not one of them. Bladder would be the obvious choice but theres nop exit. There is a long tradition of making stuff out of scrotums. So I think it could well be. Unless it is a formed piece of hide and has been stretched and shaved to minimise creaing. But that seems like a lot of trouble to go to. Hopefully other forumites will come and enlighten us? Kino? You must have some thoughts?