Ruiterpistool met vuursteenslot c. 1710 - 1723

These are two flintlock horseman’s pistols, crafted by Barend Penterman, who died in 1723. These pistols evoke a time when power was often enforced at gunpoint, and we can see the intersection of artistry and violence inherent in such objects. Consider the cultural context of the 18th century, a time of colonialism and the increasing stratification of society. Guns like these were not merely tools; they were symbols of authority, class, and race. The materials used, and the craftsmanship involved, would have been accessible only to a privileged few, underscoring the vast disparities in wealth and power. The intricate designs, ostensibly decorative, served to legitimize and even glorify the use of force. How might these objects have been viewed by those on the other end of the barrel? These pistols, embodiments of power and privilege, remind us of the complex and often brutal dynamics that have shaped our world.