Description

Here is a gem for the Civil War collector and drinking flask collector alike. Documented with CW era use, an identified example of this style flask is picture in CWCE, Vol II, pg 102. The shape was commonly known as the pumpkin seed and the style was available with a simple glass bottle and stopple, screw lid, pewter body, glass body with a pewter cupped bottom, covered in leather covered in wicker, but the highest grade version of this flask is seen with the pewter screw cap also serving as a drinking cup. The woven wicker cover on this is tight and stiff providing strong protection for the glass bottle. It is a combination of different color wicker and treated twisted twine allowing it to be pulled very tight over the bottle. Also has four little loops woven into sides for a thin carrying strap or cord. It may have been shellacqued afterward as well. Very nice patina, minimal wear, just honest age but no damage. The pewter mouth is applied to the glass and fits down over the edge of the woven covering further securing it in place. The rim of the mouth is threaded as is the inside of the rim of the flared cup. A mushroom cork stopple with a flat top fits into the mouth of the bottle and a recess in the bottom of the cup fits neatly over it so it is pulled down snug in the mouth when the cup is screwed on. The cup has a flat base, so it sits on a table. The body of the cup has a flared lip with nice subtly elegant incise line around the edge and is shaped to resemble a bell. Nice surface patina to the pewter cup overall. There a few dings on the rim and body as seen in the picture where it did it’s job protecting the mouth and cork.  The base of the cup is marked with a name but I cannot read it definitively as the middle is lightly stamped and worn. Looks like possibly “C. G.  DEBOSE.” to me but I am not sure. Worthy of some research. I really love woven wicker covered flasks. This one is very special – only had few of this type over my 55 years of collecting.