Page 225 - Auction84-Book1

The left stock flat has a dual Pegasus design, deer, Hercules wearing the pelt of the Nemean lion
and slaying the dragon Ladon in the Garden of Hesperides per the text noted above. Flanking the barrel tang are interesting column designs with bearded masks and dogs, and the left side of the butt features rabbits leading dogs (one riding a dog), a central design of a lion battling a griffin, and masks. The right side has a hunter and his dogs taking down a boar/bear and two lions. The patch box lid has a female figure with hands grasped in prayer and a lion mask at the top. A “1373” marked inventory tag is on a wire around the trigger guard. The ramrod has a coordinating engraved tip. CONDITION: Fine. The lock and barrel primarily have a dark gray appearance with contrasting
gold accents and aged patina on the silver which is partially worn away. The engraving is worn but generally distinct when closely examined. The majority of the bright gild finish remains on the
lock components, and the bright pan and pan cover have minor wear and crisp engraving. The wheel shows some chipping and wear. The stock is very fine and has beautiful embellishment throughout with crisp details and lovely contrast between the inlays and the wood including strong green tinting, some minor edge wear, and some faint hairline cracks and repairs. The lock
is untested. This is a beautiful wheellock that would be at home in an art gallery or in a private collection of fine arms. The stock alone represents some of the finest artistic work found on antique arms from the late 16th century. As Gusler
and Lavin concluded, “With its combination of polychromed stock and mounts, this gun achieves a decorative impact seldom equaled.” Provenance: William Randolph Hearst;
Clay P. Bedford; Joseph Murphy;
The Tom Lewis Collection.
Estimate: 75,000 - 120,000
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