Designs for the Decoration of Firearms 1772 - 1830

These are Nicolas Noël Boutet's, Designs for the Decoration of Firearms. Boutet sketched these designs using graphite on paper, but when they came to life they adorned the weapons made at the Versailles manufactory where he worked. During a time of political and social upheaval, when France was transitioning between monarchy, revolution, and empire, Boutet became known for his luxurious firearms. These weapons were not merely functional but symbols of power and status, commissioned by royalty, political figures, and military leaders. Boutet infused them with decorative elements drawn from classical antiquity, transforming weapons into coveted works of art. Consider what it means to render instruments of war as objects of beauty. In doing so, the violence and the political agendas these weapons enabled became obscured by their ornamental appeal. Despite the horrors of that time, Boutet’s designs served to beautify the instruments of power.