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Engraved Brass Fish-Form Priming Flask
Lucknow, India
circa 1800
length: 15cm, height: 14cm
This unusual priming flask is in the form of a fish - the style of fish
employed as the royal emblem of the Nawabs of Oudh whose kingdom
centred on the northern Indian city of Lucknow. The form of this flask is
similar to a royal silver gilt Oudh standard featuring two fish, now in the
David Collection in Copenhagen. (See the images below of the Nawabs'
fish emblem as it is employed in the stucco cladding of the Bara Imambara
complex in Lucknow.)
The flask has a rounded head and an erect tail which serves as the neck
of the flask. Facial features and scales are engraved on. The original
spring lever opening mechanism is present and there are four rings
through which cords can be tied to secure the flask.
Priming flasks were used by artillerists to store and pour finely ground
gunpowder which was needed to set off a loaded gun. A small quantity of
powder would be poured into the nozzle of the gun. This was then ignited
either by a spark from a flintlock mechanism or more commonly in India, by
flame from a matchlock.
References: The David Collection standard is illustrated in von Folsach,
K., Art from the Wold of Islam in the David Collection, 2001, p. 339.
Inventory no.: 701
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Engraved Brass Fish-Form Priming Flask
Lucknow, India
circa 1800
length: 15cm, height: 14cm
This unusual priming flask is in the form of a fish - the style of fish
employed as the royal emblem of the Nawabs of Oudh whose kingdom
centred on the northern Indian city of Lucknow. The form of this flask is
similar to a royal silver gilt Oudh standard featuring two fish, now in the
David Collection in Copenhagen. (See the images below of the Nawabs'
fish emblem as it is employed in the stucco cladding of the Bara Imambara
complex in Lucknow.)
The flask has a rounded head and an erect tail which serves as the neck
of the flask. Facial features and scales are engraved on. The original
spring lever opening mechanism is present and there are four rings
through which cords can be tied to secure the flask.
Priming flasks were used by artillerists to store and pour finely ground
gunpowder which was needed to set off a loaded gun. A small quantity of
powder would be poured into the nozzle of the gun. This was then ignited
either by a spark from a flintlock mechanism or more commonly in India, by
flame from a matchlock.
References: The David Collection standard is illustrated in von Folsach,
K., Art from the Wold of Islam in the David Collection, 2001, p. 339.
Inventory no.: 701
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Images from the Bara Imambara
complex, Lucknow, showing the use of
the Nawabs of Oudh fish emblem.
complex, Lucknow, showing the use of
the Nawabs of Oudh fish emblem.