ticketsMember | Make a donation

Primer

18th century
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. The makara design could be a reflection of its use in hunting crocodile, a popular pastime for the royal courts of Rajasthan.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Primer
  • Date: 18th century
  • Geography: Rajasthan
  • Culture: Indian, Rajasthan
  • Medium: Brass
  • Dimensions: L. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm); D. 1 in. (2.5 cm); Wt. 7.5 oz. (212.6 g)
  • Classification: Firearms Accessories-Flasks & Primers
  • Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
  • Object Number: 36.25.2375
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Shield (Dhàl), Leather, lacquer, gold leaf, silver, Indian, probably Rajastan
Shield (Dhàl)
Indian, probably Rajastan
ca. 1800
Saber, Steel, jade (nephrite), gold, blade, possibly Iranian; guard and decoration on blade, Turkish; grip, Indian
Saber
blade, possibly Iranian; guard and decoration on blade, Turkish; grip, Indian
blade, 18th–19th century; guard and decoration on blade, 19th century; grip, 18th century
Dagger with Scabbard, Steel, iron, gold, rubies, emeralds, glass, wood, textile, Indian, Mughal
Dagger with Scabbard
Indian, Mughal
1605–27
Armor of Mail and Plate, Steel, iron, copper alloy, textile, Indian, Sindh (now Pakistan)
Armor of Mail and Plate
Indian, Sindh (now Pakistan)
late 18th–first half of the 19th century
Saber with Scabbard, Steel, gold, silver, jade (nephrite), diamonds, emeralds, pearls, grip, Indian; guard, scabbard, and decoration on blade, Turkish; blade, Iranian
Saber with Scabbard
grip, Indian; guard, scabbard, and decoration on blade, Turkish; blade, Iranian
grip, 18th or 19th century; guard and scabbard, 19th century; blade, dated A.H. 1099/1688 CE; decoration on blade, 19th century

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Primer - Indian, Rajasthan - The Metropolitan Museum of Art