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

Jim McDougall · 25th February 2009, 01:50 PM

Hi Michael,
As always, magnificent items, and it is incredible to see all the work and creativity that went into things that would otherwise been considered simple utilitarian implements to accompany the firearms of the times.

I always think it is interesting to see the artwork applied to material culture and how it compares to the actual art of the periods associated. While the markings and inscriptions on the weapons themselves often carry varying degrees of symbolism beyond the commercial and perhaps even mundane bureaucratic purposes of the time, it is interesting to consider what type of symbolism might have been imbued in the applied art on these items, or if any other than simple aesthetics.

I suppose one example of such applied art used on weapons of these times
would be the 'Holstein' daggers and use of his "Dance of Death" artwork.

In looking at these powder flasks, I was somehow drawn to the screws and began to think about how amazing it was that these simple pieces of hardware have remained virtually unchanged through so many centuries of advances in technology. I cant help but wonder more on how long this simple element has existed as used on weaponry. Simplistic I know, but always just curious.

Thank you for these great photos!!!

All the best,
Jim

All the

Matchlock · 25th February 2009, 05:24 PM

The larger frog of yellowish color, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, the plicated pouch retaining a beech wood compartment drilled for four paper cartridges two of which are still present, the lead balls now oxidized to a greyish white, as well as some tow and a portion of matchcord, each preserved in its separate leather compartment; together with a caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, and of unusually good quality, the wooden body retaining much of its original red paint and fitted with well wrought iron mounts, the bottom mount containing a very rare additional ball reservoir with a spring loaded lid and one ball still present, now oxidized to a greyish white.

The smaller frog of grey suede, Nuremberg, ca. 1600, the pouch probably meant for reserve balls, the reverse with an old inventory number in red ink; together with a plain caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, early 17th century, the blackened body of fir wood with plain and thin iron mounts.

Displayed together with two musketeers' bandoliers, ca. 1600, and a bundle of original matchcord, all from my collection; more on these rare accouterments to follow soon.

400 year old fragile leather and textile items range among the greatest rarissimae.

Michael

Matchlock · 25th February 2009, 05:34 PM

More details of the better quality frog, plus two good Nuremberg caliverman's flasks, ca. 1580's to 1600, the wooden bodies covered with tooled blackened leather, retaining their reverse frog hooks; from my collection.

Michael

Matchlock · 14th March 2009, 07:57 PM

Another Nuremberg Schützenflasche, late 16th century, the frog hook damaged at the tip.

Michael

Matchlock · 15th March 2009, 05:09 PM

Details from two paintings by Sebastiaen Vrancx, ca. 1625-30, preserved at the Museum of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium.

From roelipilami's excellent photostream on www.flickr.com - thank you so much, roelipilami!

Michael

Matchlock · 15th March 2009, 05:13 PM

Note the unvarnished stocks and blued iron parts of both the wheel-lock and matchlock muskets.

Michael

Matchlock · 27th March 2012, 04:21 PM

With gilt-copper mounts, and retaining its original leather frog covered with gold-embroidered textiles, ca, 1590, made for a high-ranking officer of the Trabanten-Leibgarde (body guard) of Christian I or II, Elector of Saxony; provenance: the Royal Saxon Collections, Dresden.

The carved representation is the standard motif found on all Saxon calivermen's flasks, the pikeman.

Preserved in the Met, NY.

Best,
Michael

25th February 2009, 05:24 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Caliverman's Flasks and Their Leather Frogs in my Collection The larger frog of yellowish color, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, the plicated pouch retaining a beech wood compartment drilled for four paper cartridges two of which are still present, the lead balls now oxidized to a greyish white, as well as some tow and a portion of matchcord, each preserved in its separate leather compartment; together with a caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, ca. 1580, and of unusually good quality, the wooden body retaining much of its original red paint and fitted with well wrought iron mounts, the bottom mount containing a very rare additional ball reservoir with a spring loaded lid and one ball still present, now oxidized to a greyish white. The smaller frog of grey suede, Nuremberg, ca. 1600, the pouch probably meant for reserve balls, the reverse with an old inventory number in red ink; together with a plain caliverman's flask, Nuremberg, early 17th century, the blackened body of fir wood with plain and thin iron mounts. Displayed together with two musketeers' bandoliers, ca. 1600, and a bundle of original matchcord, all from my collection; more on these rare accouterments to follow soon. 400 year old fragile leather and textile items range among the greatest rarissimae. Michael Attached Images

25th February 2009, 05:34 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More details of the better quality frog, plus two good Nuremberg caliverman's flasks, ca. 1580's to 1600, the wooden bodies covered with tooled blackened leather, retaining their reverse frog hooks; from my collection. Michael Attached Images

14th March 2009, 07:57 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another Nuremberg Schützenflasche, late 16th century, the frog hook damaged at the tip. Michael Attached Images

15th March 2009, 05:09 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A caliverman's frog and flask, ca. 1625-30 Details from two paintings by Sebastiaen Vrancx, ca. 1625-30, preserved at the Museum of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium. From roelipilami's excellent photostream on www.flickr.com - thank you so much, roelipilami! Michael Attached Images

15th March 2009, 05:13 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two More Thirty Years War Battle Scenes by Sebastiaen Vrancx Note the unvarnished stocks and blued iron parts of both the wheel-lock and matchlock muskets. Michael Attached Images

25th February 2009, 01:50 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hi Michael, As always, magnificent items, and it is incredible to see all the work and creativity that went into things that would otherwise been considered simple utilitarian implements to accompany the firearms of the times. I always think it is interesting to see the artwork applied to material culture and how it compares to the actual art of the periods associated. While the markings and inscriptions on the weapons themselves often carry varying degrees of symbolism beyond the commercial and perhaps even mundane bureaucratic purposes of the time, it is interesting to consider what type of symbolism might have been imbued in the applied art on these items, or if any other than simple aesthetics. I suppose one example of such applied art used on weapons of these times would be the 'Holstein' daggers and use of his "Dance of Death" artwork. In looking at these powder flasks, I was somehow drawn to the screws and began to think about how amazing it was that these simple pieces of hardware have remained virtually unchanged through so many centuries of advances in technology. I cant help but wonder more on how long this simple element has existed as used on weaponry. Simplistic I know, but always just curious. Thank you for these great photos!!! All the best, Jim All the

27th March 2012, 04:21 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	One of the Finest Calivermen's Flask in Existence With gilt-copper mounts, and retaining its original leather frog covered with gold-embroidered textiles, ca, 1590, made for a high-ranking officer of the Trabanten-Leibgarde (body guard) of Christian I or II, Elector of Saxony; provenance: the Royal Saxon Collections, Dresden. The carved representation is the standard motif found on all Saxon calivermen's flasks, the pikeman. Preserved in the Met, NY. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 27th March 2012 at 09:11 PM.