The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of October 3, 2023

Powder Flask

c. 1620–1650

Germany, 17th century

Walnut inlaid with horn in concentric circles; turned bone funnel with brass spring cap; iron suspension loops

Diameter: 12.1 cm (4 3/4 in.); Overall: 15.9 cm (6 1/4 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.57

Location

210A Armor Court

Description

Powder flasks are small, portable containers designed to hold gunpowder. From the 1400s to the 1800s, powder flasks were indispensable for charging and priming firearms of all types. Without powder flasks firearms were of little use to their owners. Many highly decorated flasks rank as works of art.

Provenance
Frank Gair Macomber; Boston; cat. #275.
Citations
Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mention: p. 158, F48 archive.org
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. p. 175, cat. no. 244
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. p. 195, cat. no. 255
Exhibition history

European Arms and Armor from the Cleveland Museum of Art (Long-term Loan). Birmingham Museum of Art (organizer) (July 1, 1993-July 1, 1995).

Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.57