Partial Design for the Decoration of Firearms 1772 - 1830

This delicate drawing by Nicolas Noël Boutet is a design for the decoration of firearms. Created between 1772 and 1830, the drawing features a complex arrangement of scrolling foliage and a central grotesque mask. Boutet's meticulous penwork emphasizes the intricate detail of the design, which would have been executed in metal or other materials. The design is typical of the Rococo style, known for its playful use of asymmetry and organic forms. The artwork, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship employed in the making of luxury firearms during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.