Omani not Flask Origins

ward · 6th September 2008, 05:48 PM

This is a interesting piece form is Omani but it is very well cast which the Omani's did not do and 3 times heavier than a typical flask also the tulip spout is unusall. Any Ideas on origin on this piece. 9 x 6 inches

kahnjar1 · 6th September 2008, 09:18 PM

Hi Ward,
In my opinion this flask form is not of Omani origins, but in fact originates from Northern Arabia.
The Oman has 2 distinct flask types. The flat banana shaped TALAHIQ, usually made of silver,(pic attached), and the seed pod shaped wooden flask, with brass neck and measure attached to it by a chain.
Both of these are shown on page 47 of Elgoods Arms and Armor of Arabia.
The flask you feature here appears on page 48 of the same book. I also have one of these, but mine is formed brass--not cast.
Regards
Stuart

ward · 6th September 2008, 09:53 PM

The casting is my main issue as far as I am aware it was not done in the Saudi peninsula. I think that the form may have copied in another country such as Eritra or farther east. I do not know exactly where to look for it that is why I am asking.

kahnjar1 · 6th September 2008, 11:19 PM

I agree with that. I have not seen any construction or decoration of Arabian Peninsula pieces, either blades, flasks or firearms using cast metal, except maybe for small parts of the silver finials on knives. Certainly total construction of items using cast metal originating here is not evident in any of the items I have in my collection. Cast metal, particularly of hilt tops, does appear in knives etc originating in Syria/Lebanon, and probably other areas also.
The flask in question probably is a cast copy from an adjoining area, but I personally have never seen one made this way. Do you know if this item is old, or could it possibly be a modern tourist type copy?
Stu

ward · 6th September 2008, 11:30 PM

No antique I looked pretty carefully at the piece and as I said it well cast and finished. A lot of corrosion inside from powder. I have handled tourist pieces to well made for that. I think it is a copy made in a different country and the local resources and artist modified what they had seen the question comes down to where were they doing quality casting and would have embelished this form

kahnjar1 · 7th September 2008, 12:07 AM

Yes I thought it looked too well made to be tourist, but thought I would ask anyway. If you could establish approx age it might help, but Arabia has been on the "trade routes" for centuries so any neighbouring country that used cast brass in weapons construction could be the place of origin. I would have thought that somewhere close would be more likely as most eastern/islamic countries had specific styles of flasks.
Good luck.
Stu

6th September 2008, 05:48 PM	#1
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	Omani not Flask Origins This is a interesting piece form is Omani but it is very well cast which the Omani's did not do and 3 times heavier than a typical flask also the tulip spout is unusall. Any Ideas on origin on this piece. 9 x 6 inches Attached Images

6th September 2008, 09:18 PM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	NOT OMANI IN MY OPINION Hi Ward, In my opinion this flask form is not of Omani origins, but in fact originates from Northern Arabia. The Oman has 2 distinct flask types. The flat banana shaped TALAHIQ, usually made of silver,(pic attached), and the seed pod shaped wooden flask, with brass neck and measure attached to it by a chain. Both of these are shown on page 47 of Elgoods Arms and Armor of Arabia. The flask you feature here appears on page 48 of the same book. I also have one of these, but mine is formed brass--not cast. Regards Stuart Attached Images

6th September 2008, 09:53 PM	#3
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	The casting is my main issue as far as I am aware it was not done in the Saudi peninsula. I think that the form may have copied in another country such as Eritra or farther east. I do not know exactly where to look for it that is why I am asking.

6th September 2008, 11:19 PM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	I agree with that. I have not seen any construction or decoration of Arabian Peninsula pieces, either blades, flasks or firearms using cast metal, except maybe for small parts of the silver finials on knives. Certainly total construction of items using cast metal originating here is not evident in any of the items I have in my collection. Cast metal, particularly of hilt tops, does appear in knives etc originating in Syria/Lebanon, and probably other areas also. The flask in question probably is a cast copy from an adjoining area, but I personally have never seen one made this way. Do you know if this item is old, or could it possibly be a modern tourist type copy? Stu

6th September 2008, 11:30 PM	#5
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	No antique I looked pretty carefully at the piece and as I said it well cast and finished. A lot of corrosion inside from powder. I have handled tourist pieces to well made for that. I think it is a copy made in a different country and the local resources and artist modified what they had seen the question comes down to where were they doing quality casting and would have embelished this form

7th September 2008, 12:07 AM	#6
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Yes I thought it looked too well made to be tourist, but thought I would ask anyway. If you could establish approx age it might help, but Arabia has been on the "trade routes" for centuries so any neighbouring country that used cast brass in weapons construction could be the place of origin. I would have thought that somewhere close would be more likely as most eastern/islamic countries had specific styles of flasks. Good luck. Stu