Vuursteenruiterkarabijn 1725 - 1750

This is a flintlock carbine made by van Gellecum. While its exact date is unknown, such firearms evoke a period of significant transformation in early modern Europe. Think about how guns shifted power dynamics and social structures. They enabled new forms of violence and coercion and were used for colonial expansion and the subjugation of indigenous populations, fundamentally reshaping global politics. This carbine represents a nexus of technological advancement, military strategy, and socio-political upheaval. This object invites us to reflect on how power is negotiated and enforced within societies. It serves as a potent reminder of the human capacity for both innovation and destruction and leaves us to consider the legacies of colonialism, conflict, and the ongoing quest for justice and equity.