Pair of Percussion Target Pistols Made for Display at the 1844 Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie in Paris
Created by the celebrated gunsmith Alfred Gauvain (1801–1889) for display at the Exhibition of French Industry in Paris in 1844, these pistols are masterpieces of iron chiseling in the Gothic Revival style. Designed by the sculptor and ornemanist Michel Liénard (1810–1870), they typify the imaginative conception and superb execution of the most elaborate firearms created by Parisian gunmakers to show off their skills at the industrial exhibitions and world fairs held in Paris, London, and elsewhere throughout the nineteenth century. At the 1844 exhibition, where they were awarded a silver medal, Gauvain's works were praised not so much for the richness of their materials, but rather their pure finish and artistic execution.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pair of Percussion Target Pistols Made for Display at the 1844 Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie in Paris
- Gunsmith: Signed by Alfred Gauvain (French, Paris 1801–1889 Paris)
- Designer: Designed by Michel Liénard (French, La Bouille 1810–1870 Brussels)
- Barrelsmith: Barrels by Léopold Bernard (French, Paris, active 1832–70)
- Date: dated 1844
- Geography: Paris
- Culture: French, Paris
- Medium: Steel, wood (ebony)
- Dimensions: L. of each pistol 16 5/8 in. (42.3 cm); L. of each barrel 11 in. (27.8 cm); Cal. of each barrel .50 in. (13 mm)
- Classification: Firearms-Pistols-Percussion
- Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Bequest, 2013
- Object Number: 2013.512.1, .2
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Alfred Gauvain
possibly 1844
Multiple artists/makers
dated 1851
Louis Perrin
Léopold Bernard
dated 1854
Multiple artists/makers
dated 1866
Jean André Prosper Henri Le Page
dated 1829
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.