Medieval Leather Water Bottle with Beeswax Lining, 800 ml

Medieval Leather Water Bottle with Beeswax Lining, 800 ml

Traditionally Shaped Buffalo Leather Bottle

The body is made from shaped panels of genuine buffalo leather joined by prominent light-coloured stitching around the edge. Its broad teardrop-shaped body narrows into a short neck fitted with a removable wooden stopper. A leather thong secures the stopper to the bottle, reducing the risk of losing it during transport.

A longer leather cord allows the bottle to be carried over the shoulder or attached to other equipment. Small spots, wrinkles, differences in grain and slight variations in colour are not defects. They are natural features of traditionally worked leather.

Historical Background And Use

Leather vessels for carrying liquids were used in Europe throughout much of the medieval and early modern periods. Comparable forms are particularly associated with the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries. Such bottles could form part of the equipment of travellers, pilgrims, hunters, soldiers and people working away from settlements and permanent water sources.

Leather was widely available, lighter than pottery and less vulnerable to breakage during travel. As untreated leather is not watertight, historical containers were commonly sealed internally with beeswax, resin or other suitable compounds. The teardrop profile also made the vessel convenient to carry from a shoulder strap.

Preparation And Correct Handling

Before use, inspect the stitching, wooden stopper and internal wax coating. Adjust the carrying cord so that the bottle does not swing excessively or strike weapons, buckles and other hard parts of your equipment. Insert the stopper straight and without excessive force.

This bottle is produced in small quantities using traditional methods. Its watertightness may therefore change over time. Compression, impact, excessive heat or natural deterioration of the wax can cause seepage. The internal coating may be renewed with pure beeswax when required.

Important Notice

This product is a decorative item and is not certified for contact with food or drink. Do not use it to store beverages or other liquids intended for consumption. It is primarily suitable as an authentic-looking item of historical equipment, a theatrical prop, a collectable or a decorative accessory.

Technical Specifications

The shade, grain and texture of the leather, as well as the appearance of the wooden stopper, may vary slightly from piece to piece. These differences are natural consequences of using traditionally worked natural materials.

Renewing The Internal Beeswax Lining

• Allow the leather bottle to dry completely and remove the wooden stopper.
• Use only pure beeswax containing no paraffin, colourants, fragrances or other additives.
• Melt the wax in a bain-marie and never directly over a flame or on an exposed hotplate.
• Warm the bottle only very gently so that the wax does not solidify immediately against a cold surface. Do not overheat the leather.
• Carefully pour a small quantity of melted wax through the neck.
• Close the bottle and slowly tilt and rotate it until the wax has covered the entire interior.
• Carefully pour out any excess wax before it has fully solidified.
• Leave the bottle in a stable position to cool, away from children and flammable materials.

Wear protective gloves and cover the work surface when handling melted wax. Hot wax can cause burns. Never heat the leather bottle in a microwave oven or conventional oven.

Care And Safety

• Wipe the exterior with a dry or only slightly damp soft cloth.
• Do not soak the bottle in water or clean it in a dishwasher.
• After contact with water, stand it with the neck facing downwards to drain, then leave it to dry without the stopper fitted.
• Store it in a dry, ventilated place away from direct sunlight, radiators and open flames.
• Do not fill it with boiling or very hot liquids, which could melt the wax and damage the leather.
• Do not crush, sharply bend or strike the bottle.
• Do not leave any liquid inside for extended periods.
• Inspect the carrying cord regularly, particularly when the bottle is worn over the shoulder.
• Do not use harsh cleaners, solvents, alcohol or unsuitable modern shoe oils on the leather.

Recommended Accessories

• Pure beeswax for maintaining the internal lining.
• Leather satchel or pilgrim bag suited to fourteenth- to seventeenth-century equipment.
• Medieval leather belt based on thirteenth- to fifteenth-century styles.
• Historically styled wooden cup for camp displays and decorative scenes.
• Wool cloak, hood or travelling garment inspired by fourteenth- to sixteenth-century European clothing.