{"product_id":"17th-century-english-antique-leather-costrel-early-travelling-flask","title":"A 17th Century English Antique Leather Costrel","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA moulded and stitched leather costrel of rounded, shield-shaped form, rising to a narrow neck, the body built up over two panels joined at the sides with tan leather thonging in a close, even stitch. Two small holes to the shoulder, evidently for a carrying cord or strap, are consistent with the costrel's original purpose as a portable flask for water, ale or cider, carried by travellers, harvesters or on campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe surface has darkened to a deep blackish-brown with fine, old craquelure throughout and lighter, worn passages to the base and shoulder where handling and use have thinned the patina — exactly the kind of honest wear one hopes to see on a genuine survival of this age and type, and quite different in character from the artificial distressing seen on later reproductions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/strong\u003eEngland. 17th Century. Sourced from a private collection based in the West Country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial: \u003c\/strong\u003eHandstitched leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sound and stable, with an old, undisturbed surface and consistent craquelure throughout; stitching intact along both seams with only minor losses noted. No losses to the neck. There are some surface abrasions to the leather commensurate with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7 in (18 cm)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55264004112726,"sku":"HAF7474","price":845.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/7462\/5878\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_62be94e2-05e9-4327-88a9-e9f095571c96.jpg?v=1788884592","url":"https:\/\/holtantiquefurniture.com\/products\/17th-century-english-antique-leather-costrel-early-travelling-flask","provider":"Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}