Geweer met vuursteenslot c. 1800 - 1825

This is a flintlock gun, made around 1690 by Jan Nelleman. It serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between craftsmanship, power, and violence in the 17th century. Consider the social and economic context in which this weapon was produced. Guns like these fueled colonial expansion, enabled the transatlantic slave trade, and were wielded by those seeking to consolidate power. Its existence speaks to the early formations of capitalism, where technological advancements like these propelled both economic growth and profound human suffering. This gun also raises issues of identity and agency. Who were the individuals who crafted these weapons, and what was their role in the violence they facilitated? What choices were available to them, and how did they perceive their complicity in the exploitation and subjugation of others? Ultimately, this flintlock gun forces us to grapple with the uncomfortable truth that objects of beauty and ingenuity can also be instruments of oppression and control.