Gunpowder flask in tortoiseshell - Italy or France, late 17th - early 18th century

structure (Testudinidae spp.) and bronze.
The central part, consisting of the shell, acts as the body of the container, while the measuring spout and the coupling are made of bronze.
The flattened pear shape recalls the most popular models in Europe between the late 17th and 18th centuries, a period when powder flasks were not only functional tools for containing and measuring gunpowder, but also valuable objects, symbols of social status, and accessories linked to the world of aristocratic hunting.
The use of tortoiseshell, a rare and precious material, combined with bronze, suggests European production, most likely Italian or French, intended for a wealthy client. Overall, the object combines aesthetic refinement and practical functionality, testifying to the elegance and sophistication of the applied arts in the late 17th and 18th centuries.

This lot, accompanied by an expertise issued by Ce.S.Ar Centro studi archeometici, is only available for sale with shipments within the European Union. (expertise Ce.S.Ar. 2025-250)

Count Luigi Rigi Luperti collection.
Item condition grading: **** good.
The lot is in a good state of preservation with the normal wear and defects commensurate with its age and use over time.