Priming flask, 17th - 18th century (ivory)

A Mughal-period ivory priming flask used to hold fine gunpowder for the matchlock guns used in hunting. The body of the flask is carved in relief with figures of common animals of the chase: an antelope and a tiger in profile within a leafy setting on each side. At the rear end, the head and torso of a gazelle emerge from the mouth of a lion or tiger (above) and an elephant (below). At the front end, the head of a ram emerges from the mouth of a makara, a mythical beast from Hindu mythology. Traces of red paint are visible in some areas indicating the flask would have been brightly decorated at one point. A hinged stopper of gilded metal would originally have covered the hole at the end of the ram's mouth, and a small metal suspension loop would have projected from the main body of the primer.