Caucasian flintlock pistol
This item has been sold.
Overall length

51.2 cm

Barrel length

35 cm

Caliber

13.5 mm

Weight

968 grams

Materials

Iron, steel, wood, silver, niello, gold

Origin

Kubatchi, Dagestan, Caucasus

Provenance

European antique art market

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Description

A Caucasian miquelet pistol with silver niello mounts. Its barrel is twist forged and with gold koftgari decoration in Persian style. The wooden stock is covered entirely with silver plates, which in turn are decorated with niello work. Some of the silver plates have been gilt. The miquelet lock is decorated with gold overlay.

The work points towards Dagestani manufacture, most notably the town of Kubatchi which was famous for its arms production.

 

Comparable examples

A near identical pistol is in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 36.25.2241. It is currently on view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 379. It used to belong to Samuel H. Austin, Philadelphia. Sold in his estate sale, The American Art Association, New York, April 24–28, 1917, no. 432. Then purchased by George Cameron Stone whose collection was bequeathed to the museum in 1935. The Met's example is in far better condition, showing how this pistol would have looked.

 

Condition

The piece is in average condition. Some denting and losses to the silver and the gold overlay is worn in places; see photos. Not all plating is the same shade or finish; some appear to be working life replacements. The tone of the plating of the Met's example also shows some variety but to lesser extent.

 

Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work
Caucasian miquelet pistol, Dagestani work

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