Antique Knotwork Sailor's Cosh ink drawing portrait There is one stain running

There is one stain running diagonally near the top

hands over ears as if to block out the sounds of the world

9 3/4" tall x 8 3/4" wide x 1/2" deep

This is the second of these great brass cheese wedge pen holders I've had in the shop--how not to feel a little happier with this on the desk

but making no real sense otherwise

Antique Knotwork Sailor's Cosh ink drawing portrait There is one stain runningAbout a year ago I found a sailor's cosh similar to this one in the Hudson River Valley, and just returned to the same dealer to purchase this one, which came from the same estate. From what I understand, this exquisitely crafted but brutal object was a sailor's weapon, preferred over the knife, and according to lore was carried by "Press Gangs," who would use them to gather a crew by rendering unsuspecting victims on shore unconscious, only to awake