Traditional Tibetan tinder purse known as 'chuckmuck'. From vintage origin. The use of the chuckmuck can be found all across North Asia and China to Japan, dating back at least to the 17th century. Nowadays they are especially still to be seen in Tibet and Mongolia, where they are hung from the belt by both men and women as part of the traditional clothing. They are nowadays however more an item of ethnic jewelry than one of practical usage.
A chuckmuck consists of a stiff leather purse, with a thick steel striker underneath. The purse (which may vary in size and decoration) usually holds a piece of flint and some tinder material (scraps of pulped woody material such as plant roots). The word 'chuckmuck' can be traced back along the British Indian 'chackmak' unto the Turkish word for flint, 'çakmaktaşı'. The word 'chuckmuck' has been incorporated as a kind of simplified, slang word for such a style of tinder purse all through Central Asia.
This chuckmuck has been made in Tibet from stiff, dark brown leather, decorated with bronze and Tibetan silver fittings and a (synthetic) bright red bead.
It is from vintage origin and shows some small signs of its age, such as some minor oxidation spots at the metal on the inside of the purse. But overall it is still in very good and absolutely usable condition.
Sizes: approximately 15 centimeters wide and 6,5 centimeters high (measured when closed, and measured without the hook). Weight is 212 grams.
