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

[Matchlock]

A similar caliverman's flask as before, the style of the engraving Nuremberg, ca. 1600, the obverse depicting two warriors all'antica, the reverse engraved with typical concentric circles, the mounts of blued iron (heavily patinated and discolored), and retaining its original reverse-mounted long frog hook (often incorrectly callred 'belt hook)';
spring-loaded manually operated nozzle cover, the spring missing;
preserved in oustanding original condition overall, with all engravings crisp and retaining their deeply blackened ground;
the original spring missing from the

m

[Matchlock]

Saxon caliverman's flask retaining its leather frog, ca. 1590-1600:

Wallce Colln., London

m

[Matchlock]

A Flemish or Swiss caliverman's engraved cowhorn flask, dated 1594;
Wallace Colln., London.

m

[Matchlock]

Two unusually fine South German caliverman's flasks, for guardsmen, ca. 1600, the blackened cowhorn bodies engraved with foliage, the mounts incised and gilt;

- the first probably Augsburg, the top mount featuring a lid for an additional compartment of unknown purpose, and complete with reverse belt hook;

- the second engraved with characteristic Nuremberg foliage, the bottom comprising a compartment for spare balls, and complete with reverse belt hook;

both Wallace Colln, London.


For similar flasks combined with ball compartments see posts #4, 8 and 18.



m

[Matchlock]

Two further caliverman's flasks, ca. 1590-1600, the bottom mount comprising a reservoir for spare balls;
the lower one, with etched and gilt mounts, dated 1594, preserved in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nuremberg.

m

[Matchlock]

A caliverman's flask with plain wooden body, ca. 1590-1600.

And a contemporary cowhorn flask retaining its original raw silk and wool tassels, in the Legermuseum Delft.

m

[Matchlock]

An unusually fine South German (Augsburg or Nuremberg) caliverman's flask, ca. 1590-1600;
the body of bleached, flattened, engraved and blackened cowhorn; a very rare feature is the fact that the mounts are made of brass, embossed, pierced, engraved punched with decorative quatrefoils; the reverse-mounted belt hook of iron.
The obverse engraved with a sunburst and typical Nuremberg style foliage, the reverse with the usual concentric circles.
The whole preserved in optimum condition.

This finely wrought flask was most probably designed for a guardsman of a small unit.

Sold Hermann Historica, April 23, 2012, after failing to sell at least in two previous auctions!


m