Antique Tibetan Flint and Tinder Pouch (Mechag or Chuckmuck)

With original flint and tinder!
 
This intriguing piece features a leather pouch meant to hold a piece of flint and tinder for lighting fires or pipes. Called a mechag by the Tibetans, chuckmuck by others, it is made of leather with brass etched plaques with images of deers on either side of the locket and a central ‘button’ which includes a hook on the back to clip into a wide staple like metal piece under the front flap. On the bottom is a sloped iron striker. The back has a brass frame on three sides. The top includes a pop in handle and a thin leather strap which ends in a firmly tied on wooden peg which was used to fasten it to one’s belt.
 
When we found this, it included the original flint and tinder inside the pouch. The flint is a small rock and the tinder wisps of something like charcoal. Of course, we thought it was disintegrating leather and tried to clean it out before realizing what it was! We have returned them to the pouch.
 
This came with a note in our grandmother’s handwriting saying she believes it came from Tibet via Darjeeling and was purchased on the 1934-1935 world tour which she joined with her aunts, the Burr sisters. We believe the Burr sisters picked this up and passed it on to her. 
 
It is in decent vintage condition, in need of a careful cleaning and some polishing. The leather is worn but holding together well. The clasp and other added parts are still in place. 
 
H 3 3/4” iron striker to handle x W 6 1/8” x D 7/8”
4.97 oz (141g)
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.