A GOLD-DAMASCENED (KOFTGARI) RAM-HEADED GUNPOWDER FLASK
Northern India, 19th century

Of typical L-like curved shape, with a tapering tubular open end to pour the gunpowder out and a locking mechanism on the spine, the curved flask ending in a ram head fully inlaid in gold (koftgari) with scrolling vegetal sprays on the body, wavy curls on the neck, and cross-hatched rounded marks on the head, the horns, eyes and mouth of the ram also heightened in gold, mounted on a wooden stand, 15.5cm long.

For a similarly decorated ram-headed dagger (khanjar), please see these Rooms, 16 April 2021, lot 134.