Oriental Powder Flask
 

Is anybody here able to state of which country or region this powderflask may come? Perhaps it may come from northern Afrika but I am not sure about this. But I am sure that the specialists here will know this.
Thanks in advance
corrado26
.

Arrgggh...Where did you get that?
It's the most beautifull Moroccan Powder horn that I ever saw.
I'm very jalous.

Best,
Kubur

Hi Corrado.

As Kubur says....Morocco. And, YES!! the most beautifully decorated one I've ever seen. Outstanding !!!! Wish it were in my collection.
Usually, these are seen with brass mountings (and occassionally brass/silver combination) with simple engraving as shown below.
But your's is over the top wonderful. Where did you find it ??? Curious minds want to know? LOL

As long as this horn is horn is being posted, this might be a good time to ask a question to some members. I notice on all these Moroccan horns (and others) that the majority of the engraving, decoration, etc. is always on the LEFT side of the horn. Does anyone know if there is a reason for the left vs right side of the horn?

Again, Corrado, that horn is a beauty!!!

Rick.

Hi Rick!

Here is mine.
Well I have a simple explanation: most of Islamic / Ottoman period arms are decorated on one side: the visible side. The other side is left undecorated or with a different and more simple decoration, look at the koummiya for example.
Of course, it's extremely interesting because it gives you information on how these objects were worn.

Best,
Kubur

Hi Kubur.

Your horn is also a nice example!!! Well your explanation makes complete sense. I always thought this awkward since most people are RIGHT handed. And I always carry my horn on the RIGHT side of me for loading. But it doesn't have to be that way. So it must have been the practice during the day to carry the horn on the LEFT side. Hmmm. Ok I can visulize that. Thanks.
Rick.

Thanks a lot for all your comments. I found this horn at an not yet ended online-auction with a price of ca. $ 300.-. As I think this is too much I wont buy it.
corrado26

Rick,

I always carry my hunting pouch and horn on the left side even though right handed, as the strap could interfere with mounting the gun to the shoulder if worn on the right side.
Also the gun can at times be carried under the arm if there is no horn and bag to interfere with it.
And ...being right -handed means I have the gun in that hand, so load and prime with the left hand. :-)

Very nice horns in the above posts!

Richard.

Salaams Corrado 26 See http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20430 at post #2 for similar Moroccan flask.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

I can't resist to post this lovely powder horn from Yemen.

Best,
Kubur

Kubur what a beauty,never seen one like that from that part of the world,WANT ONE......Cheers

Corridor: Would you pm me and let me know which action? Rick.

I was about to ask...Rick, do you know that collecting is a disease?
:)

Thanks Rajesh, I have another one, but I like them both...
:(

Hi Richard. How have you been ? Yes, a lot of right-handed guys do prefer to carry their bag and horn on their left side. I'm just use to carrying on the right for over 40 years, and would be hard for me to switch now. LOL. I just thought it was interesting that every one of these Moroccan horns I've seen has the majority of the decoration on the left side. So it must have been more common to carry on the left. Rick

Kubur: That is a great looking horn also. Configured with the spout on the large end ala 16th Century European.
Collecting: Oh, you are so right. Seems to get worse every year. LOL. Rick.

Rick,

All well, apart from a detached tendon in me shoulder and having my knee scoped :-)
I'm waiting for updates on your matchlock barrel!

Yes, 40 years is a long time to get used to a system!! Like they say, if it ain't broke don't fix it!

All the best,
R.

Not much fun getting older. I just talked to the barrel guy last Friday. I'm almost next in line. However, he now told me he has to have knee surgery next week and will only be able to work a couple hours a day for about 4-6 weeks. So we are now looking at June. Darn. :(. I'll keep you posted.
Rick.

Hi Kubur.
What is that post/thumbpiece thing next to the spout?
Rick.

Hi Rick,

Good question!
This kind of stuff is present on all the Yemeni / South Arabian powder horns.
I dont know what it is, probably to close something as you can turn it...
I hope that you can help to solve this new enigma...

Best,
Kubur

Hi Kubur.
Hmmm. If it turns, the only thing I can think of is that their is an additional cut-off plate below the spout to act as additional safety valve/moisture protection. (?) Does it turn only part ways, or 360 degrees ?
Rick.

Hi Rick,
You are right. It SHOULD be to activate the powder cut off. Often they are jammed up, but if not rusted, can be freed up with something like WD 40 or CRC 556.
Stu

Hi Stu.
Well, I can't think of anything else it would be? I know we are not supposed to post information about any "live" auctions here. So I'll PM you and Kuber about a similar mystery. Thanks, Rick.

A nice buy this oriental powderflask. Comments are invited
corrado26

Not oriental in my view... European....or....? :shrug:

see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...r+flask+german

Although... The base is curved...which leads me to suggest Moroccan and with the same style of small handles..seen below.

Such humanoid shapes may be related to Talisman so I show a similar shape from Oman...Adam near Nizwa . Warding off the Devil. ( The Devil being the geometric shape traced out in red on your flask face.) The geometry may also be a warding off the evil eye illustrated by the central rectangle..The Eye.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

I NOTE THE REPEAT SEQUENCE OF 7 geometric shapes all around the item...and the geometric shapes are miniature evil eyes ...Warding off the Evil Eye. Thus the powerful Talismanic form on your powder flask.

This is a very interesting Interpretation, an absolutely unknown fact for me
corrado26

the last one is also definitely Morocco.
You can have a look here
http://http://www.africanarms.com/al...106-105503219/
and in the same album are also some other typs.

Salaams Wodimi, and welcome to this thread... Years ago when I joined I followed your posts and I know you are a specialist in African spears... as well as other weapons... Unfortunately I cannot get that web page to connect but will keep trying.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaam Ibrahiim,

maybe I make a mistake with the link, please try to copy this :

http://www.africanarms.com/alle-alben/!/oa/6644106-105503219/

in any case here is the picture.

All the best
Wolf

Salaams Wodimi,
That could be the sister of the item at #23. Thank you. Same basic geometry and exact shape.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.