Primer
Not on view
A priming flask is used to hold and pour fine gun powder into the priming pan of a matchlock gun. They are produced from a range of materials, as seen here, including metal, horn, and ivory. Their decoration also varied and often showcased artistic ingenuity. This flask features the head of the makara, a crocodile-like creature of Hindu mythology, with a ram leaping from the creature’s mouth. The makara design could be a reflection of its use in hunting crocodile, a popular pastime for the royal courts of Rajasthan.
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