Antique Knotwork Sailor's Cosh ink drawing portrait but making no real sense

but making no real sense otherwise

and the two arches at top

to slippers on the rug next to the bed

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

Antique Knotwork Sailor's Cosh ink drawing portrait but making no real senseAbout 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