Amazing tooled, handstitched rawhide thing

[Luke Hatley]

Ray i have seen a lot of Powder flask before. But if this was made for carrying powder it is a very different kind.

I WOULD GUESS IT IS OF TURKISH HISTORY TO CARRY HORSES MILK IN.

[UKRay]

Ray i have seen a lot of Powder flask before. But if this was made for carrying powder it is a very different kind.

I WOULD GUESS IT IS OF TURKISH HISTORY TO CARRY HORSES MILK IN.

I'd not argue with you, Luke, but how would a rawhide bottle react to a liquid like mare's milk? It is my understanding that it would go very limp and soggy... but I don't know for sure.

I just managed to get what I thought was the stopper out from inside the bottle - it was a just a crumbling piece of leather - I guess it could have been a stopper at one time. The leather was so old it literally fell to pieces as I shook the bottle - I guess this thing may be a lot older than I first thought.

Edited November 16, 2008 by UKRay

[whinewine]

Ray:

Not being an art student, I (obviously) don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but to venture a guess like everyone else, the designs appear very 'Moorish' in style, such as one would see on various buildings in those areas of Spain that had a lot of Moorish influence.

I would opt for powder or shot flask.

I would also tend to believe it's leather, rather than rawhide: I know rawhide can be molded, but I don't know if it can be tooled. Anybody?

russ

[Luke Hatley]

IF THE RAWHIDE I DRYED ON THE DESERT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO BE WET FROM THE MILK.

"HEY ASK SOME EASY QUESTIONS"..........

[UKRay]

Ray:

Not being an art student, I (obviously) don't know what the hell I'm talking about, but to venture a guess like everyone else, the designs appear very 'Moorish' in style, such as one would see on various buildings in those areas of Spain that had a lot of Moorish influence.

I would opt for powder or shot flask.

I would also tend to believe it's leather, rather than rawhide: I know rawhide can be molded, but I don't know if it can be tooled. Anybody?

russ

Hi Russ, the material is approx 1/16" thick, translucent, hard as heck and feels just like a dog chew which is why I thought it had to be rawhide - I couldn't argue about the vaguely Moorish look. It could just as easily be Spanish I suppose. I did wonder if it was a shot flask - but surely you wouldn't want a hard flask (and this thing is really hard - I reckon I could stand on it without damaging the thing) to carry soft lead shot - they would rattle around and make a fearful noise - and could easily get damaged or misshapen. What do I know?

I don't do easy questions, Luke!

[Jordan]

It's part of a set of hospital urinal/bedpan for patients with incredibly good aim.

[Timbo]

Maybe its a cold camel scrotum and if you warm it up it will get bigger!!!!

Tim

[TwinOaks]

Say, isn't that Barbara Eden's old house?

I don't have a clue as to what it was/is, but I'm pretty sure that it wasn't rifle/pistol shot flask....unless it was never used. My reasoning for this is that the inside looks completely clean- in the pic where you can see in the mouth of it, there doesn't appear to be the slightest amount of lead fouling.

Another thing to check out is to see if that's an iron or a steel ring on it. That could be a good indicator, as well as the style of blacksmithing.

I haven't seen it suggested yet, so I'll also throw in the possibility that it's one of Johanna's "use up the scrap" projects from her early days that somehow found it's way across the pond.

[UKRay]

Say, isn't that Barbara Eden's old house?

I don't have a clue as to what it was/is, but I'm pretty sure that it wasn't rifle/pistol shot flask....unless it was never used. My reasoning for this is that the inside looks completely clean- in the pic where you can see in the mouth of it, there doesn't appear to be the slightest amount of lead fouling.

Another thing to check out is to see if that's an iron or a steel ring on it. That could be a good indicator, as well as the style of blacksmithing.

I haven't seen it suggested yet, so I'll also throw in the possibility that it's one of Johanna's "use up the scrap" projects from her early days that somehow found it's way across the pond.

It is as clean as a whistle inside, Mike - no trace of anything dirty ever having been in there. I touched a file to the metalwork and my best guess is soft iron - not steel. It is fairly rough on the inside so Hidemechanic may have a good point about it not being suitable for powder - and looking down the hole, I'd say there are no traces of anything ever having been inside at all - so what the heck is it?

Johanna? Nah, I've seen her handbag and this really isn't her style at all. LOL

As for the laddish grubbiness from Timbo and Jordan... Well I'm just shocked and surprised at the pair of you!

[Windy]

After studying the hieroglyphics carefully , I can tell you that it

belonged to the King of Persia long ago in a time we will

never understand. The purpose of the container is to hold

a multitude of balls with numbers on them. When the King

could not make up his mind which one of his harem he wished

to partake in carnal knowledge with him that night he would

simply shake the container, then poor out the lucky womans

number.

WINDY