#concealed tools

[theoutcastrogue]

Slide & Box Knives, early 19th century

Oooh, knives with secret compartments! I'm not sure what these are for, exactly. I think they are quite small, they look like tiny penknives, so nothing big could fit in the box. Smelling salts? Cocaine? Who knows.

Image from the book Explanation or Key, to the various manufactories of Sheffield, with engravings of each article, designed for the utility of merchants, wholesale ironmongers, and travellers (Sheffield, 1816) [x]

[theoutcastrogue]

A pesh-kabz dagger with a secret compartment

Well, perhaps not very secret: the attached key looks like a key and doesn't pretend otherwise. This appears to be a novelty item. Rajasthan, undated, length: 49 cm.

"Dagger consisting of a straight, single-edged sharp blade and hilt. The blade is damascened in gold with floral and creeper motifs. The hilt is similarly damascened in gold with floral, creeper motifs and hunting scene. The blade is also inscribed near the ricasso." [National Museum of India, New Delhi]

tinyurl.com/9aaawvut

[theoutcastrogue]

For your poison-storing needs Vinaigrettes

A trend from the late 18th and through the 19th century, vinaigrettes were small containers for smelling salts or aromatic substances dissolved in vinegar, used to cover unpleasant smells. Some were really tiny, half an inch long. They became novelty / luxury items, they were often made of silver, and came in many different shapes. They had a little sponge inside to absorb the vinegar, and sometimes a second compartment where perfume could be placed. They started going out of fashion from the 1840s.

I like the third one, that looks like a dark lantern, very roguish.

descriptions after the cut

Silver vinaigrette in the shape of a skull, Europe, 1700s

George III Silver Novelty Bag Vinaigrette, circa 1815

Victorian Novelty Silver Sewing Etui Combined With a Vinaigrette to Base, Sampson Mordan

Lafite fine silver Victorian ‘Lantern’ form novelty combination scent bottle and vinaigrette c.1870

A late 19th Century Dutch silver novelty vinaigrette in the form of a swan

Vinaigrette ring

Victorian Silver Gilt Mounted Scent Bottle / Vinaigrette ‘Turquoise & Pearl’, London 1867

A Fine Georgian Antique English Gold Book Vinaigrette, London, circa 1830

George III Antique Silver Articulated Fish Vinaigrette

Victorian Silver Mounted Green Glass Double Ended Binocular Scent Bottle circa 1870

tinyurl.com/s29jrf3s

[theoutcastrogue]

A Tanto Koshirae-shaped Secret Coin Case

Japan; Edo Period (1603-1867); length 38 cm

“In place of the blade there is a grooved element that can contain several coins (some included). Koshirae shaped as an ordinary tanto with lacquered grip and saya. Inside two rectangular antique silver coins. Curious and rare. With multi-coloured fabric case.” [x]