Flintlock rifle c. 1790 - 1800

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brass, silver, metal, sculpture, wood

brass

silver

metal

sculpture

united-states

wood

history-painting

Dimensions: 8 3/8 x 2 1/4 x 6 1/4 in. (21.3 x 5.7 x 15.9 cm) (a) - (rifle)

This flintlock rifle was crafted by John Bonewitz, likely in the late 1700s or early 1800s, primarily from wood and metal. The rifle stock is made of carved wood, a material chosen for its availability and workability. The metal components, including the barrel and firing mechanism, required skilled labor and specialized tools to forge and assemble. The act of creating a gun was laborious, demanding a combination of physical strength and precise craftsmanship. Reflect on how these materials are tied to the complex social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Gunsmiths like Bonewitz played a crucial role in the military and economic landscape of their time. Understanding the materials, making, and context is essential to grasp the full meaning of the artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart over 1 year ago

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"Kentucky rifles" of the late-18th and early-19th centuries were primarily made in Pennsylvania, receiving their nickname from the song "The Battle of New Orleans" during the War of 1812: "But Jackson he was wide awake, and wasn't scar'd of trifles, for well he knew what aim we take, with our Kentucky Rifles." John Bonewitz, who worked in Berks County, Pennsylvania, was one of the finest craftsmen of this type of rifle. His firearms are prized for their elegant proportions, beautifully carved leaves and scrolls, and engraved brass patch boxes and butt plates. Compare the carving and patch box design of this piece to those of the Dickert rifle from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, also in this case.