SIGNED MUHAMMAD, CAUCASUS, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details

A CAUCASIAN STEEL POWDER FLASK
SIGNED MUHAMMAD, CAUCASUS, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY
The curved body of oval section extensively overlaid with gold in stylised floral patterns, the spring cut-off decorated en-suite and stamped ‘work of’ (‘amal-i) and ‘Muhammad’, with gold-overlaid suspension loops and red strap
8in. (20.3 cm.) long excluding strap

Literature

Howard Ricketts and Philippe Missilier, Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 1988, no.110
Howard Ricketts and David Sulzberger, Islamic Military Heritage, Nine centuries of Islamic Arms and Armour, Riyadh, 1991, p.43, no.231

Exhibited

Splendeur des Armes Orientales, Paris, 1988
Islamic Military Heritage, Nine centuries of Islamic Arms and Armour, Riyadh, 1991

Further details

Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding on these lots. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import certain lots of this type into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid.

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

A comparable priming flask in the Wallace Collection, London (OA2125; Thom Richardson and Paula Turner (eds.), The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Arms and Armour from Asia, Africa and the Ottoman World, London, 2026, p.253), still retains its original leather sash and accompanying ramrod (Frederick Wilkinson, Small Arms, London, 1965, pl.171). That flask was acquired at a Paris auction on 1 April 1859, providing a useful terminus ante quem for its manufacture. A lack of dated examples make a more precise attribution difficult.

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