Cleveland Museum of Art

Powder Flask

Date

c. 1560–1570

Medium

leather (cuir bouilli) with embossed and fluted decoration; brass funnel

Culture

Italy, 16th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

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. This flask is an exceptionally fine example of Italy Renaissance tooled leatherwork known as cuir bouilli (molded and hardened leather).

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