Monday, March 26, 2012

Recreation of a Medieval Costrel

A Costrel has been defined as either a type flask or are barrel shaped with a small neck and handles for straps on the top. They seem to vary in size depending upon the need.

This barrel type costrel is based off of one recovered from the wreck of the Mary Rose. The pride of Henry VIII’s fleet, The Mary Rose was lost in battle in 1545. Rediscovered in the 1960’s she was finally raised in 1982. Since that time, there have been numerous artifacts recovered from the site. This costrel also resembles one in the collection of The Museum of London.

Extant Examples

Figure 1: Costrel, 1545. Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth.

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This is an example form the Museum of London. As you can tell it is decorated by either embossing or carving.

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Design & Construction

Wooden form modeling for end pieces ready for wet forming leather.

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The leather is then soaked in water and stretched onto the form. It is then clamped into place and allowed to dry. Once dry, the leather then retains the shape of the form.

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Removing clamp from form after drying and trimming excess

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End piece turned out of form

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Design traced out for carving:

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Beginning the carving:

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Preparing for stitching 

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Here the end is completely sewn in and the top is temporarily stitched.
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Finishing

The Costrel was traditionally coated with beeswax for protection and to aid in keeping the contents from seeping out. Ideally, it would have been coated inside and out with wax or pitch. I chose not to coat the inside do to lack of material and tools to do so.
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Conclusion

What changes would I like to make in the next version?

    • I would have liked it to be more symmetrical along the top.
    • I have since seen one with a double row of stitching along the seams.
    • I would like to finish it properly inside and out.
    • I also would like to turn an actual wood stopper for the spout. - Now that I have a lathe, I may just have to do that!

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