Lot 103
Near East, Ottoman Empire, Balkans, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. A cast brass butt cap from a flintlock pistol, elegantly shaped and richly ornamented in repousse and chased designs. The domed cap is adorned with swirling foliate and scroll motifs, emblematic of the Ottoman decorative vocabulary, with two long prongs extending upward to secure the fitting against the wooden stock of the pistol. The inner surface bears a green patina, the result of centuries of age and burial. Such fittings were both functional and decorative, protecting the wooden butt of the pistol from wear while also serving as a canvas for the artistry of Balkan gunsmiths. Ottoman firearms of this period were highly prized not only for their effectiveness in battle but also for their ornate embellishment, which reflected the wealth and status of their owners. The scrolling floral designs seen here echo the stylized vegetal motifs of Ottoman metalwork, linking this piece to the broader traditions of Islamic art. Size: 4" L x 2.3" W (10.2 cm x 5.8 cm)
This butt cap once formed part of a complete flintlock pistol, a weapon that would have been as much a showpiece of craftsmanship and prestige as a tool of warfare. Today, it survives as a fragment that captures the artistry of Balkan armorers working under Ottoman patronage in the late 18th to early 19th centuries.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired before 2000
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#196575
- Condition: Part of a pistol. Missing tip of one ear with weathering throughout, commensurate with age. Otherwise, good remaining detail with heavy patina and rich earthen encrustations throughout.
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|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
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| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |