16th Century German Staghorn Powderflasks

[Matchlock]

Two relatively early samples, both sold at Galerie Koller, Zurich, a few years ago.

The first ca. 1540, probably depicting Hercules and the lion; the second ca. 1555, engraved with a votive motif of a Landsknecht pledging allegiance to Christ, which we often find on breast plates of the same period.
The third ca. 1580, engraved with a female figure holding a sword.

Probably none of them was made in Nuremberg.

m

[Matchlock]

And one of the finest samples in existence, probably Augsburg, ca. 1550, the mounts blued and with gilt engravings, the obverse of the body carved in high relief with a Renaissance idyll, the belt hook missing from the reverse.

Offered at auction at Hampel, Munich, in 2008.

m

[Matchlock]

Offered by Peter Finer in 2009:

- Nuremberg, ca. 1550, one of the lower iron mounts including a spring-loaded ball reservoir for approximately three balls (very rare).

- Nuremberg, 1570's, engraved with a motif well-known from what has been posted here.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

Rick,

In this zoom you can see that belt hooks were normally attached by a transverse screw thru the top mount and a threaded pin beneath screwed in the horn for stabilization.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

An astonishingly fine staghorn body of such a flask, ca. 1580, profusely carved with Renaissance decoration, all iron mounts missing; sold by Bonhams, London, a few days ago.

Best,
m