Pair of Presentation Flintlock Pistols in the Eastern Fashion
c. 1825
Medium
Steel, silver, gold, walnut, and flint
Dimensions
L. 51.5 cm (20 1/4 in.) Barrel L. 34.6 cm (13 5/8 in.) Wt. 2 lb. 14 oz. Caliber .64
Classification
firearm-handgun
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106472
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 19-century arms and armor with this exquisite *Pair of Presentation Flintlockols in the Eastern Fashion crafted around 1825. Measuring 51.5 cm in length with 34.6 cm barrels, these .64 caliber handguns weigh nearly 3 pounds each and feature a luxurious blend of steel, silver, gold, walnut and flint. The walnut stocks and ornate metalwork evoke the grandeur of diplomatic gifts or elite status symbols, where functionality met artistry in the gunsmith's workshop. The "Eastern Fashion" nods to influences from Ottoman or Persian designs, popular in Europe amid Romant...
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...