Pair of Wheellock Pistols

Etienne Delaune

ca. 1570–80 · Steel, gold, silver, brass, wood (walnut), staghorn, pigment · Arms and Armor

Pair of Wheellock Pistols — Etienne Delaune

These pistols are remarkable for the chiseled and gilt decoration of the barrels and locks, for the distinctive figural and floral inlay on the stocks, which is copied in part from ornament engravings by Etienne Delaune (1518/19–1583), and for the use of red paint to highlight the stock decoration. The survival of the matching priming flask also in the Metropolitan Museum's collection (acc. no. 14.25.1523) is also exceptional for a pistol from this early date.

Artist
Etienne Delaune
Date
ca. 1570–80
Medium
Steel, gold, silver, brass, wood (walnut), staghorn, pigment
Culture
French
Department
Arms and Armor
Credit line
Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913

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