Designs for Gun Parts and Ornament
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-409-16
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
"Designs for Gun Parts Ornament" is a captivating 1660 print by Thobie Tourneur known as Le Thuraine, a French active from around 1630 to 1690. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, work showcases intricate patterns intended for firearm components, blending functionality with elaborate decoration. As a print, it served as a practical blueprint for gunsmiths, allowing designs to be widely reproduced and applied to luxury weapons favored by the nobility. Created during the opulent reign of Louis XIV, the artwork reflects the Baroque era's emphasis on grandeur and ornamenta...