the flattened back with chamfered edge, the front swelling, stamped 'Haydar' control mark at the neck, two suspension loops at each side, the muzzle of tapered form with removable hollow ball-joint pivot, modern silk cord and tassels
12.7 cm. high

Footnotes

Provenance:
Robin Wigington collection, the Arms and Armour Museum, Stratford-upon-Avon;
Private collection, acquired Sotheby's, The Tipu Sultan Sale, 25th May 2005, lot 17.

Published:
Wigington, Robin, The Firearms of Tipu Sultan 1783-1799, Hatfield, 1992, TR37, pp. 31 and 141.

Flasks of this type are designed for carrying gunpowder. If the nozzle is in the upright position then the powder can flow freely, but when turned at a right angle the flow is stopped, and the entire unit can also be unscrewed for cleaning or refilling. The design of this flask is in the French style, demonstrating the strong influence of French military technology on Mysorean military culture. A very similar example, taken from the "palace of Seringapatam" in May 1799, is in the regimental museum of the Royal Anglian Regiment, Gibraltar Barracks, Bury St. Edmunds (Moienuddin, Mohammed, Sunset at Srirangapatam. After the Death of Tipu Sultan, Hyderabad, 2000, p.111).

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A rare silver Powder Flask, probably from the Royal Workshop Seringapatam, circa 1782-99

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Matthew Thomas