Combined Axe-Flintlock Gun-Dagger
1660/80
Medium
Steel, fruitwood, staghorn, and mother-of-pearl
Dimensions
L. 84.1 cm (33 1/8 in.) Wt. 1 lb. 15 oz. Barrel L. 42.6 cm (16 3/4 in.) Caliber .34 Dagger Blade L. 48.5 cm (19 1/16 in. )
Classification
combination weapon
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106211
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Just as other European centers were turning away from dense inlay decoration, the taste flourished in the region of Silesia, on the border between eastern Germany and Poland. The pieces generally featured folk-inspired motifs, with hunting dogs pursuing rabbits, foxes, and deer. Mother-of-pearl was also favored as an inlay, adding flashiness. Though its practicality might be questioned, the combination axe-gun-dagger was a common curiosity weapon that was widely collected in the region.
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...