Art Institute of Chicago

Cartridge Box

German, probably Brunswick

Date

1570/80

Medium

Steel, iron and wood

Culture

Brunswick

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

To aid in loading pistols from horseback, a premeasured amount of black powder and a lead ball were prepared in cylindrical paper cartridges. This box suspended from the shooter’s belt and could contain four such cartridges. The shooter would tear the paper, pour the powder charge down the barrel, and tamp the bullet over the charge. Cartridge boxes were often ornamented with figures and coats of arms. This one is startlingly embossed with two lovers, a subject frequently associated with shooting in this period.

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