A what is it ? (non weapon)

katana · 13th May 2011, 06:46 PM

Hope you don't mind me posting this. An Islamic (?) 'belt hanging' container ??? Although not a weapon I have a feeling that it may be 'warrior' related.

Brass, hand embossed lidded container with, I think, a great deal of age. The leather thong may be a hanging aid from a belt. The back of the 'container' is slightly concave suggesting it would 'fit' more comfortably against the arm or leg.

OAL 7" (18cms)

Any suggestions to what it is or what it may have contained contain (did a 'smell' test on the inside ...nothing obvious. Although my 'other half' said it smelt like old museums ....a new technical term

Any ideas or comments ? Thank you

Regards David

dennee · 13th May 2011, 08:21 PM

It looks like a pen case or something similar.

Atlantia · 13th May 2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennee

It looks like a pen case or something similar.

I had similar thoughts.
Looks possibly Chinese or far eastern, possibly for brushes?

fearn · 13th May 2011, 08:53 PM

I've seen similar shaped containers used with Japanese kimonos to replace pockets. That said, the designs do not look Japanese, only the shape and the way the strap is rigged.

F

katana · 13th May 2011, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the ideas, Denee and Gene....Fearn I think you are referring to 'Inro' ....this is the sort of thing I had in mind. Clearly not Japanese but perhaps based on the same idea . Inro were used to carry medicine, money, notes etc.
Definately seems to sit nicely when suspended from a belt (the concave back 'holds it 'against the hip/thigh ) Perhaps a pen/brush case but carried (on a belt) and shown in public may suggest a 'scribe'.

Not certain as to my initial Islamic origin although the top and bottom strongly remind me of Moorish/Mughal architecteral domes.
There is smooth 'wear' and much less patina on the concave side ....suggesting this area was 'rubbed' regulary , perhaps against clothing as the owner walked. If based on the idea of a 'Inro' perhaps Chinese as suggested.

Please keep those ideas coming

Kind Regards David

Atlantia · 13th May 2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Thanks for the ideas, Denee and Gene....Fearn I think you are referring to 'Inro' ....this is the sort of thing I had in mind. Clearly not Japanese but perhaps based on the same idea . Inro were used to carry medicine, money, notes etc.
Definately seems to sit nicely when suspended from a belt (the concave back 'holds it 'against the hip/thigh ) Perhaps a pen/brush case but carried (on a belt) and shown in public may suggest a 'scribe'.

Not certain as to my initial Islamic origin although the top and bottom strongly remind me of Moorish/Mughal architecteral domes.
There is smooth 'wear' and much less patina on the concave side ....suggesting this area was 'rubbed' regulary , perhaps against clothing as the owner walked. If based on the idea of a 'Inro' perhaps Chinese as suggested.

Please keep those ideas coming

Kind Regards David

I gotta say the more I look the more the design looks Chinese. The scrolling smoke/flame the geometric edge.
Interesting little thing

colin henshaw · 14th May 2011, 01:56 PM

Hi

I think its most likely Tibetan, for containing either pens/brushes or maybe fire-lighting equipment.

Regards.

colin henshaw · 15th May 2011, 05:49 PM

Hi

Here are a couple of illustrations from "British Museum Handbook to the Ethnographical Collections" 1925

Regards.

katana · 15th May 2011, 06:15 PM

Hi Jim

,
very well put, Holmes

.

Hi Colin

,
thanks for the posting the pictures, yes I can see design elements that are very similar.

Reviewing the pictures posted by Gustav I now believe the 'mosque domed' ends may be a red herring. Looking at the designs on the Kris hilt and the 'container' the shaped ends may be just a continuation of the imbossed design.

Kind Regards David

.

13th May 2011, 06:46 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	A what is it ? (non weapon) Hope you don't mind me posting this. An Islamic (?) 'belt hanging' container ??? Although not a weapon I have a feeling that it may be 'warrior' related. Brass, hand embossed lidded container with, I think, a great deal of age. The leather thong may be a hanging aid from a belt. The back of the 'container' is slightly concave suggesting it would 'fit' more comfortably against the arm or leg. OAL 7" (18cms) Any suggestions to what it is or what it may have contained contain (did a 'smell' test on the inside ...nothing obvious. Although my 'other half' said it smelt like old museums ....a new technical term Any ideas or comments ? Thank you Regards David Attached Images

15th May 2011, 05:49 PM	#8
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi Here are a couple of illustrations from "British Museum Handbook to the Ethnographical Collections" 1925 Regards. Attached Images

15th May 2011, 06:15 PM	#9
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Jim , very well put, Holmes . Hi Colin , thanks for the posting the pictures, yes I can see design elements that are very similar. Reviewing the pictures posted by Gustav I now believe the 'mosque domed' ends may be a red herring. Looking at the designs on the Kris hilt and the 'container' the shaped ends may be just a continuation of the imbossed design. Kind Regards David . Attached Images

13th May 2011, 08:21 PM	#2
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	It looks like a pen case or something similar.

13th May 2011, 08:53 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	I've seen similar shaped containers used with Japanese kimonos to replace pockets. That said, the designs do not look Japanese, only the shape and the way the strap is rigged. F

13th May 2011, 09:21 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thanks for the ideas, Denee and Gene....Fearn I think you are referring to 'Inro' ....this is the sort of thing I had in mind. Clearly not Japanese but perhaps based on the same idea . Inro were used to carry medicine, money, notes etc. Definately seems to sit nicely when suspended from a belt (the concave back 'holds it 'against the hip/thigh ) Perhaps a pen/brush case but carried (on a belt) and shown in public may suggest a 'scribe'. Not certain as to my initial Islamic origin although the top and bottom strongly remind me of Moorish/Mughal architecteral domes. There is smooth 'wear' and much less patina on the concave side ....suggesting this area was 'rubbed' regulary , perhaps against clothing as the owner walked. If based on the idea of a 'Inro' perhaps Chinese as suggested. Please keep those ideas coming Kind Regards David

14th May 2011, 01:56 PM	#7
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi I think its most likely Tibetan, for containing either pens/brushes or maybe fire-lighting equipment. Regards.