Cavaleriekarabijn van de Belgische dragonder 1829

This is a cavalry carbine, likely made of steel and wood by Joseph Malherbex. The steel barrel gleams, a testament to the metal-working skills required in its making. Notice how the smooth, cylindrical form contrasts with the more organic shape of the wooden stock. This beautifully worked piece of wood would have been shaped with saws, chisels, rasps, files and sandpaper. The steel would have been forged and finished by a highly skilled maker, probably with the aid of specialist tools. Consider the labor involved in producing this object. Each component would have required specialized knowledge and careful handwork. Although it is a weapon of war, there is a clear artistry in the design. The carbine transcends mere functionality; it is a carefully considered object. The making of weapons such as this has often been sidelined in art history as craft rather than art. But by emphasizing materials, making, and context, we can understand how the creation of arms and armor represents a fusion of function, design, and skilled labor.