Powder Flask

Public Domain

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Images(3)

Artist Unknown

CultureIndian

Titles

Powder Flask

Date17th century

MediumIvory, brass, and amber

Dimensions3 3/8 × 9 5/16 × 1 1/4 in. (8.6 × 23.7 × 3.2 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Friends of Art of the Islamic Worlds

Object number2009.1357

Current Location

The Caroline Wiess Law Building

113 Islamic Art Gallery

On view

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Department

Art of the Islamic Worlds

Object Type

WEAPONS & ARMAMENTS

DescriptionThis finely carved flask used for containing gun powder while hunting, demonstrates the sophistication of artistic patronage under the Mughals (1526–1858). The priming powder was released through the mouth of the antelope when the brass spanner was pressed. A loop attached to the spanner allowed the hunter to fasten the flask to his belt.
ProvenancePrivate collection, Europe; [Simon Ray Limited, London, 2009]; purchased by MFAH, 2009.
Published References Joseph M. Dye III, "The Arts of India: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts," 2001, p. 424. Robert Skelton et al, "The Indian Heritage: Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule," 1982, pp.94-95. Ibid., and Amina Okada, "L'Inde des Princes: La donation Jean et Krishnâ Riboud, 2000, pp.63-64. Okada, 2000, p. 63.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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