HvWO 118

Large antique Omani wooden gunpowder box with carved geometric decoration
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Antique Omani wooden powderboxes

 

Rare (complete) large Omani wooden gunpowder box with geometric designs.

This powder-box was used to put the gunpowder into the barrel. Subsequently a piece of cloth with the bullet was put into the barrel with a rod.

This type of wooden gunpowder box is based on similar shape gunpowder boxes made in Europe (from leather) in Europe during the 17th century.

Rare to find complete examples with the original brass cap. 

 

Omani wooden powderbox

Antique Omani wooden gunpowder box, with a brass measure

Arab name: Qra (gunpowder in Arabic and Persian is Barut)

Period: 1750-1850

Origin : Oman Zanzibar

References:
  1. Robert Elgood. The Arms and Armour of Arabia  page 46-48  fig 4.9
  2. Craft heritage of Oman Neil Richardson & Maria Dorr Volume 2 page 456 illustration. 126 & 127
  3. J.L. Carter Tribes in Oman Peninsular publishing 1982 page 20
  4. Stone Glossary use of Arms and Armor 1934  page 233 (item 4)  wrongly attributes it as being Moroccan