Tinder-pouch (breadth 5 3/4 ins) of thick brown leather

Tinder-pouch (breadth 5 3/4 ins) of thick brown leather, with large cover-flap of similar leather; pouch roughly semi-circular; exterior stamped very rudely with semi-circular lines on one side and zig-zag lines on other; loop on back for affixing it to wearer's belt; contains steel (plain, rectangular, and without hand-hold) and tinder (fungus); hinged to this pouch along straight upper edge is the large flap of leather, doubled, bound round edge with silver wire and studded all over with tiny silver nails or studs, very closely set, in straight and zig-zag lines, to form a pattern, and clinched on inner side; at bottom, a straight projection (1 1/2 in deep), also studded, its straight bottom provided with four small rings, to which short chains (all but one missing) have been attached. India. [One of 14 examples (nos 939-952). All ASiatic. Most designed to be suspended from a belt or girdle. Steel is usually carried inside the pouch together with flint and tinder. Tinder is usually fungus-tinder, but often match-tinder in the form of cotton threads loosely twisted into cord an d inserted into a small bamboo tube or hollow stick].

Details

Category:
Firemaking
Object Number:
1937-682/942
type:
tinder-pouch
credit:
Wilkinson Sword Ltd.