#artefatti

The pistols are inscribed in Latin Viena Liberata (Vienna liberated) and Buda Superata (Buda captured) in commemoration of the two major events, in 1683 and 1686, in the war between Austria and Turkey.

Miquelet Pistol Caucasian (possibly Georgia or Circassia) 1846–47 CE Via X

These pistols are part of a deluxe garniture of ivory-stocked hunting arms made for Empress Catherine the Great (reigned 1762–96), whose intial (E for Ekaterine) is on the escutcheons of the grips. The garniture, which originally consisted of these pistols, a fowling piece dated 1786 (National Museum, Warsaw), and a rifle (whereabouts unknown), was later given to her favorite, Prince Stanislas August Poniatowski (1732–1798), whom she backed as king of Poland (reigned 1763–95). Firearms with ivory stocks, generally out of fashion in western Europe by the eighteenth century, were in vogue in the ostentatious Russian court during the last quarter of the century.

Dagger with Sheath Indian, Mughal 18th–19th century Via X

Saber (Talwar) with Scabbard Indian blade dated 1673 CE; hilt, 19th century Via X

1 2 3 4 5 6

4 & 5 detail images of Jambiya no. 3

1 (Turkish, 19th century) 2 (Caucasian [possibly northern Dagestan], ca. 1840–50) 3 (Caucasian, early 19th century) 4 (Burmese, 18th century) 5 (Moroccan, 19th century) 6 (Sudanese, 18th–19th century)