AN ALGERIAN CORAL-SET SILVER AND WHITE METAL MINIATURE GUNPOWDER FLASK
Algeria, North Africa, second half 19th century

Of exaggerated curved, C-like shape, the crescentic flask made of chased and repoussé silver, the body with swirling foliate arabesques and rope-twisted bands, each domed terminal set with a polished Mediterranean red coral cabochon and further embellished with twisted wirework, the hinged lid surmounted by an additional coral-set finial and opening to reveal the powder compartment, the body pierced with suspension loops for attachment to a bandolier or belt, the form and decoration closely associated with the Kabyle and Berber silversmithing traditions of northern Algeria, on a black metal stand.

9cm x 7cm excluding the stand

These flasks were typically used by tribal horsemen and cavalry, both as functional powder containers and as status symbols. Similar examples have been highly sought after by collectors of Islamic, North African, and Maghribi arms and armour, as well as ethnographic art. For other comparable specimens, please see the Musée de l’Armée, Paris and the Musée National des Antiquités et des Arts Islamiques, Algiers.