Patch Box

19th century

Not on view

Patch boxes were worn on a belt and used to carry various accessories required by a gunman, such as spare flints and cleaning cloths. The hexagram in the center most likely represents the Seal of Solomon. According to legend, Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, received the Seal in the form of a signet ring directly from God to not only protect him, but to also give him the power to command animals, demons, and supernatural beings (jinn). The divinely-designed symbol became a popular apotropaic motif throughout the Islamic world and can be found on the surfaces of many objects.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Patch Box
Date: 19th century
Culture: Balkan
Medium: Silver gilt, turquoise, garnet?
Dimensions: H. 5 in (12.7 cm); W. 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm); Wt. 9.1 oz. (258 g)
Classification: Firearms Accessories
Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
Object Number: 36.25.2474
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Miquelet Gun, Wood, steel, mother-of-pearl, colored stones, Balkan; barrel, Italian — Miquelet Gun
Balkan; barrel, Italian
19th century; barrel, 17th century

Patch Box, Silver, Turkish — Patch Box
Turkish
19th century

Pair of Flintlock Pistols, Steel, silver, silver wire, Balkan, probably Albanian — Pair of Flintlock Pistols
Balkan, probably Albanian
19th century

Patch Box, Copper, silver, coral, silk, Turkish — Patch Box
Turkish
18th century

Flintlock Pistol, Iron, wood, silver, German silver (nickel-copper-zinc alloy), copper alloy (brass), niello, Balkan, probably Albanian — Flintlock Pistol
Balkan, probably Albanian
18th–19th century

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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.