144 - Cartridge box (palaska), brass with repoussé scrollwork, Balkans, probably 2nd half of 20th century

Cartridge box (palaska), brass with repoussé scrollwork, Balkans, probably 2nd half of 20th century Brass, repoussé. Cartridge box (palaska) of curved pouch shape, the lid and front with repoussé scrollwork, rosettes and two bird figures between beaded borders. The lid hinged, above the hinge a pierced, serrated cresting with small eyelets. On the reverse a riveted belt loop of sheet brass. Condition commensurate with age, the brass stained. 12.5x10x4 cm (HxWxD) The palaska is the cartridge pouch of the Ottoman muzzle-loader marksman in the Balkans; it was worn on the belt and held the paper cartridges in which powder and ball for one shot were packed. The repoussé brasswork with scrolls, rosettes and bird figures follows the ornamental repertoire of the urban metal workshops in Bosnia, Albania and Montenegro, whose products were traded far beyond the region in the 19th century. Together with the belt (bensilah), the powder horn and the pistols, the palaska formed part of the complete armament as worn with the regional costume until the early 20th century.