Stamped costrel

ID:

82.149

Production date:

17th century

Location:

In Store

This leather costrel is stamped with its owner's initials 'TG' and several crowns. The crowns resemble the crown of St Edward which was remade for the coronation of Charles II. This costrel was possibly carried by a person who was loyal to the king.  < ...Read more

This leather costrel is stamped with its owner's initials 'TG' and several crowns. The crowns resemble the crown of St Edward which was remade for the coronation of Charles II. This costrel was possibly carried by a person who was loyal to the king.

Thousands of leather vessels were made in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries but they rarely survive. Leather was an ideal material to make drinking and serving vessels as it was light, strong, waterproof, and wouldn't shatter when dropped. Leather costrels were often used outdoors and on journeys as drinks containers. Leather vessels were made by boiling the leather in water and then pressing it around a mould to create the desired shape. Once dry, the leather would keep its new shape. The vessel was then stitched together with thread (sometimes the thread was soaked in wax or animal fat to make it waterproof). The inside of the vessel was often further waterproofed with a layer of pitch, though if the vessel was made well enough the leather would have been waterproof on its own. < Hide

Measurements

H 210 mm; W 180 mm; D 155 mm (overall)

Materials

leather

Last Updated

2024-03-14