Pair of Wheellock Pistols with Matching Priming Flask/Spanner 1545 - 1605

These pistols, along with a priming flask/spanner, were made by Etienne Delaune, a goldsmith, printmaker, and medalist active in the mid-16th century. Delaune lived during a tumultuous time marked by religious conflict and social upheaval. As a Huguenot, his religious identity shaped his life and career, leading to periods of persecution and displacement. These pistols are more than weapons; they are emblems of power and status. The lavish decoration, with intricate designs inlaid in gold and ivory, speaks to the wealth and status of their owner. However, this opulence is complicated by the violence that these objects were designed to inflict. The pistols invite reflection on the relationship between violence, beauty, and identity, asking us to consider how cultural and religious identities are intertwined.