Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Exceptionally Detailed 19th Century Carved Bone Gunpowder Flask

About the Item

Exceptionally detailed 19th century carved bone gunpowder flask Italian, 19th Century Height 36cm, diameter 11cm This unconventional gunpowder flask, created in Italy in the 19th century, has been meticulously sculpted from a single mammalian femur bone, demonstrating the dexterity and imagination of its creator. The bone itself was chosen not only for its structural stability, but also for the evocative natural contours that lend an organic aesthetic to this functional object. The exterior surface of the box has been transformed into a canvas by the skilled artisan. An array of intricate hunting scenes have been carved into the bone, capturing the timeless human connection to nature and the primal thrill of the chase. These scenes are punctuated by depictions of mythological narratives, including a creative tableau of two mythical female figures standing on chariot being drawn by geese. These narrative scenes are artfully divided by beautifully rendered bands of acanthus leaf and wheat patterns along the base and the mid-section, as well as at the top. These motifs, common in classical and traditional art, represent the natural world and agricultural abundance, lending an extra layer of symbolism to the artifact. The quality of the carving sets this piece apart and indicates that the flask could have been ordered by an aristocratic patron given the traditional use of flaks like these for hunting, a sport favoured by the Italian nobility of the period. Facilitating its use in hunting, the flask is outfitted with two sturdy metal rings affixed to the side. These rings allow for secure attachment to a belt or satchel, emphasizing the flask's functional design amidst its artistic detailing. The upper, narrower section of the box features a carefully drilled hole that serves as an access point for the powder contained within. This bone gunpowder flask is more than a utilitarian object - it's a marriage of art and function, storytelling, and design. It stands as an exquisite exemplification of craftsmanship and serves as a window into the traditions and lifestyle of the culture that birthed it.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.18 in (36 cm)Diameter: 4.34 in (11 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 46371stDibs: LU95639527541

More From This Seller

View All
Antique 19th Century Malachite and Ormolu Casket
Located in London, GB
Antique 19th century malachite and ormolu casket Russian, Mid-19th Century Height 9cm, width 21cm, depth 15cm This magnificent malachite casket celebra...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Russian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Malachite, Ormolu

Collection of French Late 19th Century Perfume and Toilet Boxes
Located in London, GB
Collection of French late 19th century perfume and toilet boxes French, Late 19th century Largest (perfume bottle): Height 17cm, diameter 9cm This exquisite collection features fou...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Decorative Boxes

Materials

Stone, Ormolu

Antique Chinese Bone and Copper Mounted Box
Located in London, GB
Antique Chinese bone and copper mounted box. Chinese, 19th century. Measures: height 13 cm, width 26 cm, depth 14.5 cm. This fine Chinese box...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Copper

19th Century English Carved Oak Cabinet
Located in London, GB
19th century English carved oak cabinet English, 19th Century Height 179cm, width 203cm, depth 62cm This solid oak cabinet was made i...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Folk Art Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Moorish Incense Burner from Spain, Dated to 10th-12th Century
Located in London, GB
Moorish incense burner from Spain, dated to 10th-12th century Spanish, 10th-12th century Measures: Burner height 20cm, width 12cm, depth 12cm Box height 23cm, width 21cm, depth 18...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Spanish Moorish Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Chinese Carved Rock Crystal Vase
Located in London, GB
This vase demonstrates some of the best workmanship to have come out of the early 19th century in China. Made from carved rock crystal and set on a later giltwood base, the vase date...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Vases

Materials

Rock Crystal

You May Also Like

Mid-19th Century Limoges Enamel Flask
By Limoges
Located in Paris, FR
Small flask in Limoges enamel and silver mounts with its original stopper. All of its surfaces are decorated with figures set in a gallant landscape. On the body, a couple of young l...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Antique African Moroccan Tribal Carved Wood Flask 19th C.
By Berber Tribes of Morocco
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique North African Moroccan tribal wood flask. Rare late 19th century powder flask box from the Rif, Northern Morocco with a drum-shaped body hand carved wood with ethnic motifs, brass studded nails, nice geometric carvings and very fine patina. Collector large carved wooden vessel in the shape of a turtle with a long neck. Dimensions: 10"L x 3" H x 5.75" diameter. Designed with practicality in mind, this flask features two robust metal rings on the side, perfect for securely attaching it to a belt or satchel, making it an ideal companion for hunting. The upper, narrower section includes a precisely drilled hole, providing easy access to the powder inside, underscoring the flask's functional yet artistic design. This wood gunpowder flask...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Bronze

19th Century Syrian Bone and Penwork Letter Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century Syrian bone and penwork letter box. Lovely intricate pattern. A true work of art.
Category

Antique 19th Century Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Bone, Wood

Antique African Moroccan Tribal Wood Flask 19th C.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique North African Moroccan tribal wood flask. Rare late 19th century powder flask box from the Rif, Northern Morocco with a drum-shaped body hand carved wood with ethnic motifs, nice geometric carvings and very fine patina. Collector large carved wooden vessel with brass embossed in the shape of a turtle with a long neck. Dimensions: 11"L x 3" H x 5" diameter. Designed with practicality in mind, this flask features two robust metal rings on the side, perfect for securely attaching it to a belt or satchel, making it an ideal companion for hunting. The upper, narrower section includes a precisely drilled hole, providing easy access to the powder inside, underscoring the flask's functional yet artistic design. This wood gunpowder flask...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Russian Stained and Carved Bone Table Box with delicate gold
Located in Larkspur, CA
Early 19th century Russian stained and hand-carved Bone Table Casket Kholmogory Box, veneered with panels of foliate engraved stained bone alternating with geometric and foliate fret...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Russian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone

19th Century Victorian Burled Walnut, Bone and Jeweled Box
Located in Hudson, NY
This fine old English box made circa 1850-1860 is made from burled walnut with dramatic figuring. The box is then mounted with gilded bronze and engrav...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Recently Viewed

View All