Gun Barrel
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Steel, silver, copper, coral, turquoise
Dimensions
W. 35 5/8 in. (90.5 cm) Diam. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm)
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.909
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gun barrel, dating to the 18th–19th century, exemplifies the masterful fusion of functionality and artistry in Islamic arms and armor. Crafted primarily from steel, it measures an impressive 35⅝ inches (90.5 cm) in width and 1⅜ inches (3.5 cm) in diameter, designed for a matchlock or flintlock firearm common in the Ottoman Empire or Persia during this era. The surface is richly adorned with silver, copper, coral, and turquoise inlays, showcasing intricate techniques like koftgari (gold or silver damascening) or gemstone embedding, which transformed weapons into status symbols fo...