You are here:
Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Book Flask
Advertisement
Question
I got this book flask from a tag sale. I think it is made from pewter as it is quite heavy. Can't tell the age of it but it caught my eye. You can see a circle with what looks like a shield on the bottom, but it is to worn to really "read" anything. The front has what looks like a pitcher surrounded by plants/flowers and the back has a shield and a lion. I have tried researching on the web but could not find anything like it.
)
Thank you for your time.
-
Hello Dawn,
Certainly it is pewter. Flasks like this were made in Continental Europe, probably in the 18th and 19th Centuries, but there are also modern reproductions around. Judging by the flat, uniform colour and lack of wear on your example, I would say it is more likely to be a reproduction.
The cast decoration on the front features an heraldic shield in the rococo style, surrounded by floral sprays including anthemions. The diagonal lines running across the shield are the arms (as in 'coat-of-arms') of a family, though it may not correspond to a particular recorded family - quite often these arms were invented for decorative purposes
Hope that helps.
Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk
- Ask a Question
Questioner's Rating
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you. I appreciated your quick response. | ||
Related Articles
Collectibles-General (Antiques)
Answers by Expert:
- Michael Andrew Wilson
- robert klein
- Fred Taylor
- Rodger Knutson
- Eileen Cronk
- Bill & Jan Berning
- Irene Schwall
- Barbara K. Acchino
- Rex Ransome
- Larry Bieza
- Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson
- DARWIN D. BEARLEY
- Chad Boekelheide
- The Wicker WomanŽ-Cathryn Peters
- David Burritt
- Bob Wiley
- Marc A. Hess
- Tom Novitski
- Marvin D. Miller
- Robert Barnes
- Frederic Rozier
- G Zimmerman
- Jack Freund
- Russell Barnes
- Dennis Wolbach
- David Silver
Martin G Roberts
Expertise
Pewter of the 19th Century and earlier from the British Isles and Ireland. I can comment on origin, date, rarity, and value. I cannot give detailed information on 'art' metalware, Art Deco, Art Nouveau or Arts & Crafts metalware. See my website for more information: www.antique-metalware.co.uk.
Experience
A collector for twelve years and a dealer for seven.
Publications
Journal of the Pewter Society
Pewter Society Newsletter
Bulletin of the Pewter Collectors' Club of America
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.