powder flask
Powder Flask
17th century (made)
17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Gunpowder was the major form of ammunition for firearms before bullets were developed. The gunman loaded it into the barrel in order to fire a shot. Flasks for carrying gunpowder were essential in warfare. Early examples were formed out of natural materials such as animal horns, gourds and shells. These all acted as sealed containers that were easy to carry and weather resistant. This rare flask, made in Gujarat, is constructed of two layers of mother-of-pearl secured with brass pins.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | powder flask (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Mother-of-pearl secured with brass pins, with silver mounts |
| Brief description | Powder flask, mother-of-pearl and brass, Gujarat, India, silver mounts probably English, 1600-1700 |
| Physical description | Tapered cylindrical flask with a flattened back, covered in mother-of-pearl sections secured with brass pins, with unmarked silver mounts, decorated with engraved borders of acanthus foliage. The top of the silver cap engraved with foliage, the flask's base with a 19th century addition of a silver oval plaque engraved 'EE to JH'. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | An oval silver plaque has been added to the base and engraved with two sets of initials:
'EE to SH' |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Purchased with funds from the Major V.A. Farquharson Bequest |
| Object history | Made for the European luxury market in Gujarat. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Gunpowder was the major form of ammunition for firearms before bullets were developed. The gunman loaded it into the barrel in order to fire a shot. Flasks for carrying gunpowder were essential in warfare. Early examples were formed out of natural materials such as animal horns, gourds and shells. These all acted as sealed containers that were easy to carry and weather resistant. This rare flask, made in Gujarat, is constructed of two layers of mother-of-pearl secured with brass pins. |
| Bibliographic reference | Amin Jaffer, Luxury Goods From India: the art of the Indian Cabinet-Maker, London : V&A, 2002, pp. 96-97, ill. ISBN: 1 85177 381 9. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.22-1964 |
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| Record created | March 6, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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