A SILVER REPOUSSÉ GUNPOWDER CARTRIDGE CASE (PALASKA) WITH ARMORIAL DECORATION
Greece, Western Ottoman Provinces, 19th century

Of typical cusped rectangular shape, with a hinged convex lid and bulbous knob at the top and two plain rectangular belt hoops at the back, the front decorated with a traditional armorial pattern featuring cannons, swords, shields, axe, bayonets, and flags, the central shield engraved with the Greek letter Pi (π), testifying to the strong military resistance the Greeks pulled against the Ottomans, the armorial plaque framed within a scroll of vine leaves and grapes, the sides engraved with stylised geometric and vegetal patterns, 9cm x 10cm x 3.5cm.