M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private. . .
At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn More18th-Century Bugbear Gunpowder Flask
- This rare coconut shell "bugbear" gunpowder flask bears an intricately carved scene
- Soldiers and sailors carved flasks like this one while traveling through the Indies
- Imagery of a "bugbear," a boogyman-like mythical beast, also appears on the flask
- Get complete item description here
To speak to one of our experts, call 1-888-711-8084
Circa 1780
Richly hand-carved in relief with a genre scene of a burglary, this coconut shell "bugbear" flask would have been used to carry gunpowder. A man with a sword protects a distressed maiden as the burglars attempt to enter the home through the window. The "bugbear," a mythical boogyman-like figure, also appears on the flask, complete with black glass eyes and a stopper "mouth" flanked with lugs for securing chains.. . .
Circa 1780
Richly hand-carved in relief with a genre scene of a burglary, this coconut shell "bugbear" flask would have been used to carry gunpowder. A man with a sword protects a distressed maiden as the burglars attempt to enter the home through the window. The "bugbear," a mythical boogyman-like figure, also appears on the flask, complete with black glass eyes and a stopper "mouth" flanked with lugs for securing chains.
These flasks are believed to have been carved by soldiers or sailors who had traveled through the East or West Indies, where coconut shells were plentiful. French prisoners of war would also carve these shells with images of fond depictions of life back home.
7 3/4" high x 3 3/4" diameter
Period: | 18th Century |
Origin: | France |
Type: | Other |
Depth: | 3.75 in. (9.53 cm) |
Width: | 3.75 in. (9.53 cm) |
Height: | 7.75 in. (19.69 cm) |
Ahoy! The Golden Age of Pirates and Maritime Art
Introduction The golden age of pirates—a period most commonly identified as the late 17th and early 18th centuries—has long captivated imaginations and scholarly interest alike. This era is most vividly resurrected through art,...
Read MoreWildly Beautiful: Animal Carvings in Antique Furniture
Going back thousands of year, artisans have incorporated animal motifs into furniture pieces. The Egyptians, who believed certain animals were sacred to deities, often carved the legs of chairs and beds to resemble...
Read MoreAt M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn More