indian gunpowder chargers in embroidered case

Indian gunpowder chargers in embroidered case. A lovely and rare set of Indian, probably Baluchi or Afghan, gunpowder chargers in their original leather case. The seven chargers themselves are made from a dark wood probably ebony with carved decoration with applied silver colour metal in ring designs. The top finials are carved, the bottom ends are open and retain their original cotton plugs. They are hollow and would have been used to hold a charge to prime a flintlock or matchlock musket as were used in these regions until the middle of the 19th century when percussion guns took over for ease of use and reliability. The leather case has a flap to protect the chargers, and at the rear has its loops for attaching to a belt. A band of embroidered decoration at the front survives with bright colours. 19th century