Powder Flask

James Dixon & Sons

flask, before 1801; spout, after 1835 · Tortoiseshell, wood, silver, steel · Arms and Armor

Meticulously inlaid with fine silver wire, this luxurious tortoiseshell powder flask bears the British Royal Arms (as used before 1801) on the front and the king’s cypher, G R (Georgius Rex), on the reverse. It may have belonged to George III (1738–1820), or a wealthy supporter as a symbol of allegiance. Tortoiseshell became a fashionable material for snuffboxes and personal accessories around the end of the seventeenth century, but comparatively few tortoiseshell powder flasks survive. This flask, distinguished by its unusual shape and refined decoration, may be counted among the most exquisite of English making. The adjustable spout, a replacement from the 1830s, indicates the flask’s long working life.

Artist

James Dixon & Sons

Date

flask, before 1801; spout, after 1835

Medium

Tortoiseshell, wood, silver, steel

Culture

British, probably London; spout, Sheffield

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Edward S. Harkness, 1931