Container - Leather, Copper - Powder flask (gunpowder)

Rare and exceptionally well-preserved antique powder bottle, in ethnographic militaria known as a barutdan. This historical object originates from the Arab or North African region and was in the nineteenth century used by nomadic tribes such as the Bedouins for the transport of black gunpowder for their muzzle-loading weapons.

The pear-shaped body of the bottle bears witness to pure historical craftsmanship and is entirely handmade from two finely cut pieces of thick, hardened leather, presumably camel skin. These halves are shaped over a mold while wet and then skillfully joined with a characteristic raised hand-stitched seam running along the entire side and bottom. The leather is decorated all around with successive bands of fine, incised geometric relief patterns that gave the shooter extra grip during reloading.

The neck of the bottle is fitted with the original conical dosing and sealing cap made of a copper or bronze alloy with decorative ribs. A notable feature of this lot is that this metal cap is still fully functional and removable, allowing a direct view into the interior and the solid, authentic structure of the leather neck opening. The accompanying wrought iron hanging chain is still fully intact, connected to the side of the leather body via a sturdy metal eye.

With a length of 20 centimeters, a width of 6.5 centimeters, a thickness of 6 centimeters, and a weight of only 55 grams, this is a very elegant, lightweight specimen without a heavy inner core. The powder bottle is in an excellent and original collectible condition with no cracks or burst seams in the leather. Both the leather and the metal exhibit a beautiful, intact patina of age and minimal, characteristic signs of use that underscore the venerable age and authenticity of this museum-quality object.

Dimensions: 20x6.5x6 cm
Weight: 55 g