Vuursteenpistool c. 1680

These flintlock pistols were crafted by Michel Delahaye, embodying the intersection of artistry and lethal force. During their time firearms transformed social hierarchies, enabling some to enforce power over others. These pistols, beyond their deadly function, reveal the intricate dance between status, identity, and control. The elaborate decorations speak to a culture where even tools of violence became canvases for expressions of wealth. It prompts us to reflect on the complexities of ownership, privilege, and the stories we tell ourselves about power. Who wielded such a weapon? What did it mean to possess the ability to take a life with such ornate flair? Reflecting on these objects, we are confronted with the uncomfortable reality that beauty and violence have often been intertwined.