SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

The form of the 'pilgrim flask' has its roots in the leather water-flask carried by the pilgrim or traveler of the Middle Ages. T. Schroder in The Gilbert Collection of Silver and Gold, Los Angeles, 1988, p.455, traces the development of the form to French silver examples of the late 16th century; although described as 'flagons' they have the same pear-shaped form, elongated neck and oval section of later examples. Popular until the end of the 16th century, a revival of their manufacture took place in the 1660s. Particularly grand flasks with fine cut-card work were produced in the late 17th and early 18th century. Contemporary prints, such as Martin Engelbrecht's representation of the great silver buffet in the Rittersaal at the Berlin Schloss, circa 1708, indicate that they were arranged on side buffets during formal banquets. When placed in wine cisterns, they also served to decant wine. They provided the inspiration for craftsmen in the 19th century. They were used as grand display bottles and many of the later -silver and gilt- examples were presentation pieces from the Royal Families of Europe.