16th Century German Staghorn Powderflasks

Matchlock · 7th October 2011, 11:04 PM

Hi Rick,

Believe me, I disassembled all my flasks and guns!!!

How else could I have known what to expect to find in yours?

Apart from the diverging engravings on Northern, Swiss and French staghorn flasks, most of the motifs on South German (Bavarian/Nuremberg) flasks are based on period artwork engravings by Renaissance masters as Virgil Solis and Jost Amman. They usually depicture a man and/or a woman in 1550's-60's costume, framed by Nuremberg foliate work or just decorated with that Nuremberg foliage without any figures.

In South Germany, dated examples are known from 1531/2 to 1572, so I would say that that form became obsolete in Germany by the 1580's. Swiss and French flasks, as well as Hungarian ones, are completely differrent and may habe been made as late as the 17th and 18th c. (the latter). Not to gorget forget all those 19th c. remakes and modern forgeries!

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 11th October 2011, 06:18 PM

Now this is a sample that was apparently made in relatively large numbers in some Nuremberg workshop. It shows a coat of arms with 4 quarters in black and white crowned by a crest, a tournament helmet, which has sometimes been attributed to the Hohenzollern Dynasty. I'm not certain, though.This same shield, framed by the famous Nuremberg leafwork (foliate), is known from a few of these samples bearing the date ANNO / 1572 in the white quarters - on this sample shortened to Ao = 1572 and three crosses and a crescent / half moon respectively in the white quarters. There are many identical items known left undated, including one piece in my collection (see image with a low of these flasks in my glass case above). Of course, they can all be contributed to Nuremberg and the early 1570's.

Please note the fine original condition, the mounts retaining much of their original blued finish.

Best,
Michael

rickystl · 12th October 2011, 08:57 PM

Hi Michael!! Once again, THANK YOU for your help.
WOW!!!

That last one is in incredable condition!! As I view the pics I'm wiping the drool off my mouth.

And the identification is so interesting. Unbelievable. Thanks for posting. Rick.

Matchlock · 13th October 2011, 08:00 PM

This nice sample, also Nuremberg, ca. 1570-80, was sold Bonhams S.F. a few years agao.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 15th October 2011, 07:20 PM

Another fine sample, Nuremberg, ca. 1570's, engraved with a couple in Renaissance costumes after scetches of the 1560's, esp. Jost Amman; preserved in the small Thuringinan museum Schloss Burgk and photographed by the author ca. ten years ago.

m

Matchlock · 16th October 2011, 06:17 PM

This one, of the same 1570's Nuremberg type, and engraved with what is probably the Hohenzollern arms although the top crest is missing, was sold at Galerie Fischer, Lucerne.
The decsription mentions that the belt hook is missing.

m

Matchlock · 16th October 2011, 06:30 PM

Two variants in the motifs of the engraving can be seen on these two ca. 1560-70 flasks. The first depicts a nude couple, the second a religious scene, the baptizing of Christ in Jordan River. Both are certainly not of Nuremberg origin. Sold at Czerrny's, Sarzana, Italy.

m

11th October 2011, 06:18 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Now this is a sample that was apparently made in relatively large numbers in some Nuremberg workshop. It shows a coat of arms with 4 quarters in black and white crowned by a crest, a tournament helmet, which has sometimes been attributed to the Hohenzollern Dynasty. I'm not certain, though.This same shield, framed by the famous Nuremberg leafwork (foliate), is known from a few of these samples bearing the date ANNO / 1572 in the white quarters - on this sample shortened to Ao = 1572 and three crosses and a crescent / half moon respectively in the white quarters. There are many identical items known left undated, including one piece in my collection (see image with a low of these flasks in my glass case above). Of course, they can all be contributed to Nuremberg and the early 1570's. Please note the fine original condition, the mounts retaining much of their original blued finish. Best, Michael Attached Images

13th October 2011, 08:00 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This nice sample, also Nuremberg, ca. 1570-80, was sold Bonhams S.F. a few years agao. Best, Michael Attached Images

15th October 2011, 07:20 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Another fine sample, Nuremberg, ca. 1570's, engraved with a couple in Renaissance costumes after scetches of the 1560's, esp. Jost Amman; preserved in the small Thuringinan museum Schloss Burgk and photographed by the author ca. ten years ago. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 16th October 2011 at 06:18 PM.

16th October 2011, 06:17 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	This one, of the same 1570's Nuremberg type, and engraved with what is probably the Hohenzollern arms although the top crest is missing, was sold at Galerie Fischer, Lucerne. The decsription mentions that the belt hook is missing. m Attached Images

16th October 2011, 06:30 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Two variants in the motifs of the engraving can be seen on these two ca. 1560-70 flasks. The first depicts a nude couple, the second a religious scene, the baptizing of Christ in Jordan River. Both are certainly not of Nuremberg origin. Sold at Czerrny's, Sarzana, Italy. m Attached Images

7th October 2011, 11:04 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Rick, Believe me, I disassembled all my flasks and guns!!! How else could I have known what to expect to find in yours? Apart from the diverging engravings on Northern, Swiss and French staghorn flasks, most of the motifs on South German (Bavarian/Nuremberg) flasks are based on period artwork engravings by Renaissance masters as Virgil Solis and Jost Amman. They usually depicture a man and/or a woman in 1550's-60's costume, framed by Nuremberg foliate work or just decorated with that Nuremberg foliage without any figures. In South Germany, dated examples are known from 1531/2 to 1572, so I would say that that form became obsolete in Germany by the 1580's. Swiss and French flasks, as well as Hungarian ones, are completely differrent and may habe been made as late as the 17th and 18th c. (the latter). Not to gorget forget all those 19th c. remakes and modern forgeries! Best, Michael

12th October 2011, 08:57 PM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Michael!! Once again, THANK YOU for your help. WOW!!! That last one is in incredable condition!! As I view the pics I'm wiping the drool off my mouth. And the identification is so interesting. Unbelievable. Thanks for posting. Rick.