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The bronze was well-received by the new king, and Barye was made a knight of the Legion
of Honor. The phoenix on the wrist escutcheon and presumably the stock carving thus also represents the new king rising to power, and the serpents represent his enemies. In Genesis, a phoenix is the only animal in the Garden of Eden that refuses to eat the forbidden fruit and is given eternal life. In addition to the rebirth of France in the revolution, Louis Philippe may have been represented as a phoenix for resisting the temptation to rule as an absolute monarch
and instead signing the Charter of 1830 limiting his power as “King of the French” rather
than claiming the throne through divine right as “King of France.” The strong Christian tones throughout are also interesting given the Charter of 1830 also removed Catholicism as the state
Louis Philippe I
religion, but the king remained a Catholic.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall with essentially all of the gold remaining, smooth even gray on most of the Damascus steel throughout along with distinct twist patterns, some brown patina on the trigger guard and butt, aged patina on the silver hammers, crisp engraving and carving, some faint hairline cracks in the otherwise very fine buttstock, and minor marks and scratches on the metal and stock. This an extraordinary museum quality presentation French double barrel shotgun full of symbolism among both the exceptional metal work and the extremely high quality raised relief stock carving.
Estimate: 60,000 - 90,000
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