CALIVERMAN's Powder Flasks and Their Leather Frogs, Nuremberg, ca. 1580-1620

Matchlock · 8th December 2013, 02:27 PM

The fighting order at the Battle of Lützen, Nov. 16, 1632, of both the Swedish and Imperial forces.

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Matchlock · 26th February 2014, 12:51 PM

This finely made Nuremberg specimen I photographed at an auction viewing in 2009.

Please also note the close-ups of the original woollen tassels of another caliverman's flask.

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Matchlock · 26th February 2014, 01:56 PM

On the right is a caliverman's flask with plain wooden body, ca. 1580-1600, in the reserve collection of the City Museum of Köln (Cologne).

Author's photo, 1987.

For more on trapezoid flasks like those depicted in the photo, please see my thread
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15724

Matchlock · 10th March 2014, 04:44 PM

A characteristic Nuremberg made and engraved caliverman's flask of bleached cowhorn, retaining its originally blackened iron mounts and frog hook, the body dated 1607.
Please remember that, contrary to the dealer's assertion, this is NOT a musketeer's flask!

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Matchlock · 10th March 2014, 05:30 PM

We have seen finely carved flasks for calivermen of the Royal Saxon Trabantenleibgarde of the Electors Christian I and II, ca. 1590, retaining their original leather frogs, in posts # 2 and 5 above.
Here is another good sample retaining most of its original blued finish on the iron mounts, including the frog hook, ca. 1590.

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Matchlock · 10th March 2014, 05:37 PM

And a fine North Italian cuir bouilli flask decorated with characteristic roped Renaissance ornamentation, iron mounts and reverse belt hook, ca. 1560-70.
The specific overall shape follows that of the contemporary side bags (German: Gürteltaschen) that - in an epoch before ca. 1600 when garments did not yet have integral bags - everybody had to wear on the belt to carry coins but also all the other little things of importance, like written documents etc.

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Marcus den toom · 10th March 2014, 05:49 PM

Was the North Italian cuir bouilli flask for presentation purposes or for a (mostlikely) wealthy person?
Their seems to be some remnants of gilding? And does this flask have a (screw) lid on top? I remember from one of your other threads that this was the case with some of these flasks.

Much appreciated as always

8th December 2013, 02:27 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	The fighting order at the Battle of Lützen, Nov. 16, 1632, of both the Swedish and Imperial forces. m Attached Images

26th February 2014, 12:51 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This finely made Nuremberg specimen I photographed at an auction viewing in 2009. Please also note the close-ups of the original woollen tassels of another caliverman's flask. m Attached Images

26th February 2014, 01:56 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	On the right is a caliverman's flask with plain wooden body, ca. 1580-1600, in the reserve collection of the City Museum of Köln (Cologne). Author's photo, 1987. For more on trapezoid flasks like those depicted in the photo, please see my thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15724 Attached Images

10th March 2014, 04:44 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A characteristic Nuremberg made and engraved caliverman's flask of bleached cowhorn, retaining its originally blackened iron mounts and frog hook, the body dated 1607. Please remember that, contrary to the dealer's assertion, this is NOT a musketeer's flask! m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 10th March 2014 at 05:33 PM.

10th March 2014, 05:30 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	We have seen finely carved flasks for calivermen of the Royal Saxon Trabantenleibgarde of the Electors Christian I and II, ca. 1590, retaining their original leather frogs, in posts # 2 and 5 above. Here is another good sample retaining most of its original blued finish on the iron mounts, including the frog hook, ca. 1590. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 10th March 2014 at 05:44 PM.

10th March 2014, 05:37 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And a fine North Italian cuir bouilli flask decorated with characteristic roped Renaissance ornamentation, iron mounts and reverse belt hook, ca. 1560-70. The specific overall shape follows that of the contemporary side bags (German: Gürteltaschen) that - in an epoch before ca. 1600 when garments did not yet have integral bags - everybody had to wear on the belt to carry coins but also all the other little things of importance, like written documents etc. m Attached Images

10th March 2014, 05:49 PM	#7
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 535	Was the North Italian cuir bouilli flask for presentation purposes or for a (mostlikely) wealthy person? Their seems to be some remnants of gilding? And does this flask have a (screw) lid on top? I remember from one of your other threads that this was the case with some of these flasks. Much appreciated as always