In 19th-century Tibet, many men carried a fire striker to help ensure survival in the often-harsh climate of the Tibetan Plateau. Known as mechag, such strikers would hang from one's belt and often doubled as a small pouch for flint and tinder. The finest strikers were finished with precious metals and decorated with repoussé and inlaid stones.
Finished with decorative metal hardware, this is a nice example of a mechag. Made during the first half of the 19th century, there is some general ware indicating that the striker was likely had a long life of use.