Design for the Decoration of the Surround of the Barrel Tang of a Firearm 1770 - 1830

This is a design for firearm decoration, made with pen and black ink, with gray wash, by Nicolas Noël Boutet in the late 18th or early 19th century. Look closely, and you'll see the detailed ornamentation intended to adorn a gun's barrel tang, with classical motifs such as urns, leafy scrolls, and a central octagonal panel. The firearm itself would likely have been produced using a combination of specialized skills: gunsmithing, metalworking, and carving. Boutet was known for elevating gun-making to an art form, integrating fine craftsmanship with weaponry, and blurring the lines between decoration and function. In a society marked by both revolution and empire, firearms became potent symbols of power and status. The elaborate decoration of these arms wasn't merely aesthetic, but also a demonstration of wealth, and a celebration of technical prowess. By considering the materials, skills, and social context involved, we recognize this design as more than just a drawing; it reflects the complex interplay of art, craft, and society in the age of revolution.