Two Percussion Exhibition Pistols 1849 - 1851

These percussion exhibition pistols were crafted by Gilles Michel Louis Moutier-Le Page in the 19th century. The elaborate ornamentation of these pistols transforms weapons of death into objects of high art, reflecting a fascination with both power and beauty. Note the serpent motif. Coiled around the hammer, these mythological creatures symbolize primal energy. Throughout history, the serpent has embodied both destruction and healing, appearing in varied forms across different cultures. Think of the caduceus of Hermes, where snakes intertwine, signifying medicine and commerce. Or consider the ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, an ancient symbol of eternity and cyclical renewal. The image of entwined serpents may also tap into our collective subconscious, evoking an ambivalent response of fear and fascination, reflecting our complex relationship with primordial instincts. In essence, these pistols are not merely tools of violence, but complex artifacts carrying a potent legacy, demonstrating how visual symbols reappear, transform, and acquire new meanings across time and space.