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

[Matchlock]

A caliverman's flask, German or Swiss, ca. 1600; the body of flattened, bleached and engraved cowhorn, the mounts of blackened iron, the opening ring of the top mount with an additional small iron device of unknown purpose attached by a chain;
the obverse engraved with a mythological hunting scene, the reverse engraved with characteristic concentric circles, the frog hook missing from the reverse (the small hole filled where it was attached by a threaded pin).

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[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

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[Matchlock]

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

Wallce Colln., London

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[Matchlock]

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

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[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.



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[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.

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[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.

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