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Gun-powder flask

WB.14     1525–75 • Iron damascened with gold • gunpowder-flask

Curator's Description

Mount of a powder-flask; triangular; iron damascened with gold and pierced; decoration of arabesques and festoons, enclosing figures, cornucopiae and a bird and dolphin; in middle of frame is crowned monogram in relief; nozzle has pair of busts with scrolls.

This object was collected by Anselm von Rothschild and bequeathed to the British Museum by Ferdinand Anselm Rothschild.

Made In

Italy (North)
Florence (?)

What is it?

gunpowder-flask

Made Of

iron gold

Techniques

chased damascened pierced relief

Subjects

mammal bird crown

How big is it?

23.5 cm wide, 24 cm high, 1.5 cm deep, and it weighs 256g

Where is it?

London / The British Museum / Room 2A / Case 5b 8

Floor plan 2 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 6c 6d 6e 6f 6g 6h 7a 7b 7c 7d 7e 7f 7g 7h 7i 7j Entrance

Detailed Curatorial Notes

Provenance: Baron Anselm von Rothschild, Vienna, between 1866 and 1872 (cat no. 518), by inheritance to his son Baron Ferdinand Rothschild (d. 1898).

Bibliography

  • Charles Hercules Read, 'The Waddesdon Bequest: Catalogue of the Works of Art bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898', London, 1902, no. 14
  • O.M. Dalton, 'The Waddesdon Bequest', 2nd edn (rev), British Museum, London, 1927, no.14.

    • References

    1. Read 1902: Read, Charles Hercules, The Waddesdon Bequest. Catalogue of the Works of Art Bequeathed to the British Museum by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild, M.P., 1898, London, BMP, 1902
    2. Dalton 1927: Dalton, Ormonde Maddock, The Waddesdon Bequest : jewels, plate, and other works of art bequeathed by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild., London, BMP, 1927

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