Object Image

Miquelet Gun

Coral-inlaid firearms were a specialty of Algerian and Tunisian gunmakers in the eighteenth century. Shaped coral plaques were fitted into a silver framework to create a colorful decoration. The dey of Algiers presented examples to European rulers as part of his nation’s trade negotiations, and the bey of Tunis presented one to President Thomas Jefferson in 1805. The barrels of these guns are of European manufacture intended for the North African market.

Credit: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932...

Lock and stock dated A.H. 1172/A.D. 1758-59; barrel, 18th century
Steel, wood, coral, silver, copper alloy, gold
194.4cm
32.75.274
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

Where you'll find this

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection