Gunpowder flask, Elector of Saxony, circa 1600

Magnificent Powder Flask or Pulverflasche (gunpowder holder) made in the early 1600s and belonged to a member of the family of the Electoral Princes of Saxony.

The flask has a round and slightly convex shape (arched towards the centre), is made of walnut wood and completely covered with very fine bone inlays with concentric motifs which join together in a sort of endless spirals, they are surrounded by numerous small engraved berries which almost completely fill the wooden space.

On the front side there is a bone medallion set in the center on which the figure of a Noble Knight with shield and helmet with crest is engraved; on the back still set in the center, a second medallion engraves the armorial bearings of the Electoral Princes of Saxony.

All the fittings are made of hand-forged iron, sculpted and engraved, the open-close mechanism of the spring dispenser is in perfect working order.

Its measurements are: Height 21 cm; Width 14 cm; Thickness 6 cm.

Beautiful flask of a rare type, in excellent condition.

These small flasks contained fine-grained gunpowder used to prime (or prime) the main charge in the barrel.

The Electoral Principality of Saxony (in German, Kurfürstentum Sachsen) was a German territory of the Holy Roman Empire.

The territory arose with the elevation of the Duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg to an Electoral Principality by Emperor Charles IV with the Golden Bull of 1356. It existed from that date until 1806, when the Kingdom of Saxony arose.

References:

• Pulverflaschen aus Europa, Ungarn & dem Orient / Löportartók, C. Csaba - inkl. Autorensig.
• EUROPÄISCHE WAFFENKUNDE 13. Dezember 2019 - Die bei den Feuerwaffen dienenden Instrumente und Geräte.
• Victoria & Albert Museum - Accession Number: 551-1897
• The Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge) - Accession Number: HEN.M.452-1933