Not on display

Powder Flask

19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This powder flask was used to carry gunpowder. Arms and armour are rarely associated with art. However, they were influenced by the same design sources as other art forms including architecture, sculpture, goldsmiths' work, stained glass and ceramics. These sources had to be adapted to awkwardly shaped devices required to perform complicated technical functions. Armour and weapons were collected as works of art as much as military tools.

Like the pistols and guns that accompanied them, decorated flasks were costly items. Inlaid firearms and flasks reflected the owners' status and were kept as much for display as for use. Daggers, firearms, gunpowder flasks and stirrups worn with the most expensive clothing projected an image of the fashionable man-at-arms. The most finely crafted items were worn as working jewellery.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Crucible forged steel, decorated with gold kuftkari
Brief description
Middle East, Metalwork. Dark damascus steel bottle with a stopper decorated with gold kuftkari and three small floral tendrils in gold kuftkari on the body of the flask. Iran; Islamic arms and armour. Inter-departmental transfer to MES, RF 2011/ 1170.
Physical description
Dark damascus steel bottle with a stopper decorated with gold kuftkari and three small floral tendrils in gold kuftkari on the body of the flask
Dimensions
  • Length: 8cm
  • Depth: 4cm
  • Height: 18cm
Subject depicted
Summary
This powder flask was used to carry gunpowder. Arms and armour are rarely associated with art. However, they were influenced by the same design sources as other art forms including architecture, sculpture, goldsmiths' work, stained glass and ceramics. These sources had to be adapted to awkwardly shaped devices required to perform complicated technical functions. Armour and weapons were collected as works of art as much as military tools.

Like the pistols and guns that accompanied them, decorated flasks were costly items. Inlaid firearms and flasks reflected the owners' status and were kept as much for display as for use. Daggers, firearms, gunpowder flasks and stirrups worn with the most expensive clothing projected an image of the fashionable man-at-arms. The most finely crafted items were worn as working jewellery.
Collection
Accession number
586-1878

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Record createdDecember 16, 2002
Record URL
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