A PAIR OF SMALL TUSCO-EMILIAN SNAPHAUNCE BELT PISTOLS with barrels in two stages separated by a turned moulding and engraved with foliage at the slightly flared muzzles and octagonal breeches (engraving worn), the rounded locks signed and dated on the inside and chiselled in relief on the cock and plate with demi-figures and masks, the arms of the steels and the combs of the cocks with bird-head terminals, the heads of the retaining screws each chiselled with a cherub's mask, figured walnut full stocks (minor repair) partially carved with foliage, chiselled and pierced steel mounts including trigger-guards with a portrait bust on each bow, crowned escutcheons with demi-figures, grotesques and a mask framing a portrait bust, side-plates en suite, and spurred pommels chiselled on each side with a winged cherub's mask and with portrait bust cap, chiselled triggers, and original horn-tipped ramrods (one top jaw and screw replaced, belt hooks missing), by Domenico Guardiani of Anghiari, dated 1771 | Christie's

Lot 242

242

A PAIR OF SMALL TUSCO-EMILIAN SNAPHAUNCE BELT PISTOLS with barrels in two stages separated by a turned moulding and engraved with foliage at the slightly flared muzzles and octagonal breeches (engraving worn), the rounded locks signed and dated on the inside and chiselled in relief on the cock and plate with demi-figures and masks, the arms of the steels and the combs of the cocks with bird-head terminals, the heads of the retaining screws each chiselled with a cherub's mask, figured walnut full stocks (minor repair) partially carved with foliage, chiselled and pierced steel mounts including trigger-guards with a portrait bust on each bow, crowned escutcheons with demi-figures, grotesques and a mask framing a portrait bust, side-plates en suite, and spurred pommels chiselled on each side with a winged cherub's mask and with portrait bust cap, chiselled triggers, and original horn-tipped ramrods (one top jaw and screw replaced, belt hooks missing), by Domenico Guardiani of Anghiari, dated 1771

Details

A PAIR OF SMALL TUSCO-EMILIAN SNAPHAUNCE BELT PISTOLS with barrels in two stages separated by a turned moulding and engraved with foliage at the slightly flared muzzles and octagonal breeches (engraving worn), the rounded locks signed and dated on the inside and chiselled in relief on the cock and plate with demi-figures and masks, the arms of the steels and the combs of the cocks with bird-head terminals, the heads of the retaining screws each chiselled with a cherub's mask, figured walnut full stocks (minor repair) partially carved with foliage, chiselled and pierced steel mounts including trigger-guards with a portrait bust on each bow, crowned escutcheons with demi-figures, grotesques and a mask framing a portrait bust, side-plates en suite, and spurred pommels chiselled on each side with a winged cherub's mask and with portrait bust cap, chiselled triggers, and original horn-tipped ramrods (one top jaw and screw replaced, belt hooks missing), by Domenico Guardiani of Anghiari, dated 1771
9½in. (2)

Lot Essay

For information on this family of Anghiarese gunmakers see N. di Carpengna, 'Notes on Central Italian Firearms of the Eighteenth Century', Part II, J.A.A.S., Vol. VIII, No. 1, pp. 2-3, pl. 1B

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