The flask is profusely carved with bands of leaves and ropetwist ornament.
There is also a paper label on the wooden plug at the base reading Gunpowder flasket once belonging to the Duke of Cesi and Aquasparta founder of the Accademia dei Lincei (1606). The Lincean Academy was a scientific institution in Rome founded by Federico Cesi in 1603 that existed until c.1650.
The flask has a provenance ex the Norm Flayderman Collection and the estimate is $2500-4500.