Description

Antique Vintage Leather-Covered Glass Spirit Flask

A charming antique or vintage leather-covered glass spirit flask, traditionally used for carrying spirits such as whisky, brandy or cognac.

This attractive flask features a substantial glass inner bottle encased in a fitted brown leather covering, giving it both a practical and stylish appearance. The combination of glass and leather was particularly popular in quality drinking accessories from the late 19th through to the early-to-mid 20th century.

Key Features

• Type: Leather-covered glass spirit flask
• Material: Glass bottle with leather outer covering
• Colour: Brown leather
• Style: Traditional gentleman’s travelling flask
• Period: Possibly late 19th to mid-20th century
• Use: Designed for carrying spirits such as whisky, brandy or cognac
• Sight glass: Vertical cut-out in the leather allowing the liquid level to be viewed

Functional Sight Glass

One of the most interesting features is the long vertical viewing window incorporated into the leather covering.

This opening allows the user to see the level of liquid inside the glass bottle without having to remove the leather sleeve. It is a practical detail that demonstrates the thought given to the design of quality travelling flasks.

Construction

The flask consists of a glass inner vessel protected by a close-fitting leather covering. Quality examples of this type were produced by makers in England and Europe, and similar flasks are known from manufacturers such as Asprey of London and G. & S.W. Hawksley.

Some higher-quality examples were also supplied with a removable metal drinking cup that fitted over the lower section of the flask. This example appears to be missing the original cup, if one was originally supplied.

Condition

The flask is in vintage/antique condition, with expected signs of age and use. The leather displays natural wear and ageing, while the glass and fittings show the character associated with an older travelling accessory.

Please carefully examine the photographs for the condition of the leather, glass, cap and fittings. The flask is being sold as a collectible vintage/antique item and is not guaranteed to be watertight or suitable for storing or consuming beverages. Leather is cracked in places. 

Collector Appeal

Leather-covered glass spirit flasks are popular with collectors of antique drinking accessories, gentleman’s travelling equipment, vintage barware and leather goods.

The combination of the glass bottle, aged leather covering and functional liquid-level window makes this a particularly attractive example for display or inclusion in a collection of vintage and antique curiosities.

A distinctive piece of vintage drinking and travelling history with plenty of character and decorative appeal.