Inked Impression (or "Pull") of Engraved Firearms Ornament
late 1840s
Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
3 1/2 x 2 3/16 in. (8.9 x 5.6 cm)
Classification
Works on Paper-Prints
Culture
German
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Herbert G. Houze, 2002
Accession Number
2002.233.25
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late 1840s, German engraver Ernst Moritz created this delicate *Inked Impression (or "Pull") ofaved Firearms Ornament a small ink-on-paper print measuring just 3½ x 2⅛ inches. Capturing intricate decorative motifs likely intended for luxury firearms, it exemplifies the exquisite metalwork artistry of mid-19th-century Germanmiths. During this era of rapid industrialization and refined hunting culture, elaborate engravings on rifles and pistols showcased a gunsmith's mastery, blending functionality with opulent ornamentation inspired by Renaissance scrolls, foliage, and mythical motifs. ...