Powder flask with scenes showing the conversion of St. Hubert thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 5, The Friends of the V&A Gallery

Powder flask with scenes showing the conversion of St. Hubert

Powder Flask
ca. 1590 - ca. 1610 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This powder flask was used to carry gunpowder. A measured quantity of powder was drawn off by using the spring-loaded pivoting cap on the nozzle. It is decorated with the Conversion of St. Hubert. Firearms became more and more sophisticated during the 16th-century but still required a number of accessories to load and operate them. The main charge, placed in the barrel with the shot, was carried in the powder flask. Smaller priming flasks contained fine-grain powder for priming the pans of wheel-lock firearms. Flasks were attached to a bandolier, a type of sling worn over the shoulder or around the waist, from which hung the various accessories required for a weapon including spanners for the mechanism, measured charges, powder flasks and priming flasks.

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 warrior. The most finely crafted items were worn as working jewellery.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePowder flask with scenes showing the conversion of St. Hubert (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Carved staghorn with engraved steel mounts
Brief description
Powder flask, staghorn with engraved steel mounts, with scenes showing the conversion of St. Hubert, South Germany, ca. 1590-1610
Physical description
Staghorn carved in relief on the front with scenes showing the conversion of St. Hubert, with engraved steel mounts. The oval mounts are engraved with hunting animals, and the spring cap and lever are in the form of a fox with a bird in its mouth; the back of the horn is unworked.
Dimensions
  • Height: 26cm (With nozzle placed vertically)
  • Across base width: 13.6cm
  • Depth: 3.8cm
Credit line
Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh F.S.A. in 1944
Object history
This powder flask was used to carry gunpowder. A measured quantity of powder was drawn off by using the spring-loaded pivoting cap on the nozzle. This example is carved with the story of the Conversion of St. Hubert, Bishop of Maastricht and later of Liege, a story which features primarly in northern European art from the 16th century. As a youth, Hubert, according to legend, was obsessed with hunting at the cost of his spiritual duties. Confronted by a white stag wearing a crucifix between its antlers while he was hunting on Good Friday, he immediately converted to Christianity.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This powder flask was used to carry gunpowder. A measured quantity of powder was drawn off by using the spring-loaded pivoting cap on the nozzle. It is decorated with the Conversion of St. Hubert. Firearms became more and more sophisticated during the 16th-century but still required a number of accessories to load and operate them. The main charge, placed in the barrel with the shot, was carried in the powder flask. Smaller priming flasks contained fine-grain powder for priming the pans of wheel-lock firearms. Flasks were attached to a bandolier, a type of sling worn over the shoulder or around the waist, from which hung the various accessories required for a weapon including spanners for the mechanism, measured charges, powder flasks and priming flasks.

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 warrior. The most finely crafted items were worn as working jewellery.
Bibliographic references
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013 pp. 392, 393
  • Trusted, Marjorie, Baroque & Later Ivories, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 2013, pp. 392, 393, cat. no. 386
Collection
Accession number
M.1627-1944

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdApril 1, 2004
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest