Designs for the Decoration of Firearms

Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet French

Not on view

Nicholas-Noël Boutet (1761–1833) was director and chief designer of the imperial manufactory of arms at Versailles after the French Revolution and during the reign of Emperor Napoleon I. These drawings come from a group of seventy-two original designs for the decoration of deluxe firearms made under Boutet's direction. They are the only firearms designs from his workshop known to survive. In them we can see Boutet's innovative use of neoclassical motifs, which set the standard for firearms ornament across Europe at the time.

Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles

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Design for the grip of a pocket pistol

Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles
Designs for the Decoration of Firearms, Workshop of Nicolas Noël Boutet (French, Versailles and Paris, 1761–1833), Pencil, ink, gray wash on paper, French, Versailles

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