Design for the Decoration of the Grip of a Pocket Pistol
ca. 1797–1805
Medium
Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper
Dimensions
3 5/8 x 2 13/16 in. (9.2 x 7.1 cm)
Classification
Works on Paper-Drawings
Culture
French, Versailles
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Clay P. Bedford Gift, 2004
Accession Number
2004.101.2
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate drawing, titled *Design for the Decoration of the Grip a Pocket Pistol*, comes from the masterful hand of Nicolas Noël Boutet, a French gunsmith and director of the royal arms factory at Versailles. Created around 1797–1805 the turbulent post-Revolutionary era and rise of Napoleon, it exemplifies the exquisite ornamental designs that elevated firearms from mere tools of war to status symbols for the elite. At just 3⅝ × 2⅞ inches, this pencil, ink, and gray wash on paper captures intricate patterns destined for a concealed gentleman's weapon, blending functionality with artistry. ...
About the Artist
Nicolas Noël Boutet · 1761–1833
French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833