Designs for the Decoration of Firearms 1772 - 1830

This drawing by Nicolas Noël Boutet, a prominent French decorative artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, presents three designs for the decoration of firearms. The delicate pen and ink drawings feature intricate motifs of stylized foliage, scrolls, and geometric patterns, demonstrating the artist's meticulous attention to detail. Boutet's work reflects the flourishing decorative arts of the period, with its emphasis on elegant and refined ornamentation. These designs, intended for application to firearms, showcase the artistic value placed on even utilitarian objects during this time. The work is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.