Chain Shot (Projectile) for a Cannon
17th Century
Medium
Iron
Classification
firearm-accessory
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
116768
Art Historical Context
Step into the riveting world of 17th-century naval warfare with *Chain Shot (Projectile) for a Cannon*, a formidable iron accessory from the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Applied Arts of Europe. Crafted by an unknown artisan, this linked pair of cannonballs connected by a sturdy chain exemplifies the era's masterful iron forging techniques. Designed as a firearm accessory, it highlights the blend of functionality and ingenuity in European applied arts, where everyday objects became tools of survival and strategy. In the Age of Sail, chain shot was a game-changer on the high seas. F...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...