BY GIOVANNI BOTTI, CIRCA 1730

Details

A GARNITURE OF TWO GILT-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK BELT PISTOLS AND A SPORTING GUN
BY GIOVANNI BOTTI, CIRCA 1730
From the collection of Ernst August I, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar (r. 1728-1748).

The Pistols with two stage sighted barrels round then multi-faceted breech signed on top flats *LAZARINO*COMINAZZO’ notched folding rear sights. Chiseled rounded locks: tails, cocks, pans, and frizzens the cocks with animal heads, both signed in script Gio. Botti. Lightly scroll carved and incised bands wooden full stocks (one with small inset restoration the other cracked thru at forward barrel retaining pin). Gilt furniture including sideplates, tang reinforces, triggerguards chased in low relief with foliate scrolls some terminating in animal heads, spurred pommel caps en suite with Saxe-Weimar arms and cypher of Ernst August I, ramrod pipes and fore-ends caps. Wooden ramrods with baluster turned tips the heads chased with flower heads. Iron belt hooks. (2)

The gun with similar decoration but the butt with foliate scrollwork but no arms. The stock with carved cheekpiece with spiral finials. (1)
Overall length: 14 in. (the pistols, each)
46 1⁄8 in. (the gun)
The successful bidder will be responsible for arranging their own shipments or collecting in-person and will be responsible for applicable New York taxes.

Provenance

The Gewehrkammer of the Grand-Dukes of Saxe-Weimar, at Schloss Ettersburg, Saxony.
William Randolph Hearst.
Arthur Yates, Costa Mesa, California.
Acquired by Russell Barnett Aitken from the above in 1965.

Literature

J. F. Hayward, The Art of the Gunmaker, vol. II, London, 1963, pp. 134-35
Nolfo di Carpegna, Brescian Firearms, Rome, 1997, p.157, C9

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Elizabeth Seigel Vice President, Specialist, Head of Private and Iconic Collections

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

eseigel@christies.com +1 212 484 4812

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

Most, if not all, of the firearms bearing Botti's signature come from the armoury of the Dukes of SaxeWeimar at Ettersburg; some of them, like the present Aitken garniture, bear the initials of Duke Ernst-August (1688-1748). It has been theorized that the locks, mounts, and barrels were imported from Brescia and stocked in a distinctive local form.

More from Irene Roosevelt Aitken: The Library, Bedrooms and Objects of Vertu

View All