Rapier Combined with two Wheel-Lock Pistols
c. 1600
Medium
Steel, iron, brass, gold, silver, gilding, and wood
Dimensions
H.: 111.8 cm (44 in.)
Classification
combination weapon
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106212
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Combination weapons became a fascination in the late 16th century as nobles and wealthy merchants collected curiosities of the natural and man-made world. Though artful in their arrangement, these weapons seem impractical for self-defense. Owners would have displayed them in armories or cabinets of curiosities.
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...