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Pair of Flintlock Pistols
(18th and 19th Centuries )
This pair of pistols bears the arms of the young Johan Willem Friso (1687-1711), prince of Orange. He came of age (legal maturity) in 1707, and the pistols may have been presented to him then. He was a successful military commander and "stadholder" of the provinces of Friesland and Groningen. If he had not drowned in a tragic accident in 1711, he would most likely have been elected "stadholder" of the United Provinces.
Beautifully balanced with restrained, curvilinear detailing in both the walnut and the gilded steel fittings, these pistols are the finest known works by Gerrit Penterman, one of the best European gun makers of the time.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Geographies
Netherlands, Leeuwarden (Place of Origin)
Measurements
20 1/16 in. (51 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
VO.48 (51.454, 51.455)