Description & Technical information

This steel flint striker is decorated with engravings on both sides on the object. The overall frame is based on a bird pecking it peak on a raised surface which extends to form two curves that thicken in width to provide a round handle used to grip the tool. The flint striker ends with an elongated surface on the opposite side of the bird, which would have been used to start fires by scraping a flint stone across its edge. Thus, this object not only provided an aesthetic showpiece but also had an important daily function as an apparatus to provide fire for heating and lighting.

Date:  18th/19th century
Period:  1750-1850, 19th century, 18th century
Origin:  India
Medium: Steel
Dimensions: 18 cm (7¹/₈ inches)
Categories: Oriental and Asian Art