Antique 17th century Russian Enameled Brass Gun Powder Priming Flask

 VeryrRare museum quality antique 17th century Russian enameled brass gun powder priming flask (Natruska) for a flintlock - wheel lock gun or pistol.
 
The priming flask is made of several separate elements, a crescent shape brass body cast of two elements soldered together on the edges and is elaborately decorated on each face with blue, green, white, red and cobalt blue enamel with panels enclosing design of floral sprays. Is fitted with an engraved brass base, a spring cot, and a pair of loops for suspension. The bottom part is adorned with five hanging brass rings (the sixth ring is broken off).
 
This unique luxury enameled crescent shape priming flask was specially made in the 17th century in limited examples for the Muscovy court elite.
 
REFERENCES:
Only three almost identical, complete examples of this crescent shape priming flasks are known. One from the former “Collections of Mikhail and Sergei Botkin” now in The State Russian Museum.
 
The second one is preserved in the in the Hermitage Museum.
 
PLEASE VIEW THE LINKS BELOW:
http://en.rusmuseum.ru/benois-wing/exhibitions/collections-of-mikhail-and-sergei-botkin-from-the-series-not-for-personal-gain-collections-and-colle/#rmPhoto
 
http://mednolit.ru/forum/4-3909-2
 
http://www.titan-metall.ru/article/ukrashenie-kovanyh-izdeliy
 
The third flask is in the collection of The Armoury Museum Of The Moscow Kremlin and is published in the book “Russian Arms And Armour” by Miller, Juri, Plate 75 (e), published by Aurora Art Publishers, Leningrad (1982)
 
We will also provide the buyer with photocopies of the page from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.
 
CONDITION
In good condition considering its age to be over 300 years old. Showing age and usage with an old patina. The edge is slightly split on the joint of the two parts, the sixth hanging ring is broken off.
 
Please see the photos as they are a part of the description.
 
MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length: 9.5 cm (3.74 inches)
Height: 7.8 (3.07 inches)
 
WEIGHT: 115 grams (4.057 Ounces)
 

Small Priming flasks contained fine-grain powder for priming the pans of wheel-lock firearms.

The main charge of coarse gunpowder is placed in the barrel with the shot was carried in the large powder flask.

Flasks were attached to a bandolier, a type of sling worn over the shoulder or around the waist, from which hung various accessories required for a weapon, including spanners for the mechanism, measured charges, powder flasks, and priming flasks.