Priming Flask/Spanner

Unknown

ca. 1570–80 · Steel, gold, silver · Arms and Armor

This priming flask/spanner is decorated to match a pair of wheellock pistols also in the Metropolitan Museum's collection (acc. no. 14.25.1433a,b). The pistols are remarkable for the chiseled and gilt decoration of the barrels and locks, for the distinctive figural and floral inlay on the stocks, which is copied in part from ornament engravings by Etienne Delaune (1518/19–1583), and for the use of red paint to highlight the stock decoration. The survival of the matching priming flask is also exceptional for a pistol from this early date.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1570–80

Medium

Steel, gold, silver

Culture

French

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913