About this artwork
In 1840 the Parisian gunsmith Dumonthier patented his popular hunting knife with double pistols. This weapon artfully combines two percussion pistols with a knife. The hunter used it to deal the final coup de grace, or mercy blow, to the wounded game.
The crowned monogram engraved over the silver-gilt belt buckle has been identified as belonging to Maximilian, the short-lived Habsburg Emperor of Mexico. The monarch apparently practiced the European court tradition of hunting in Central America.
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Status
- On View, Gallery 239
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Department
- Applied Arts of Europe
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Artist
- Joseph-Célestin Dumonthier
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Title
- Combination Hunting Dagger and Double-Barrel Percussion Pistol, Sheath, and Belt of Emperor Maximilian of Mexico
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Place
- Paris (Object made in)
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Date
- Made 1854–1877
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Medium
- Steel, brass, silver, gilding, leather, silk velvet, and silver-gilt thread
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Dimensions
- L. 33.4 cm (13 1/16 in.) Blade L. 22.1 cm (8 13/16 in.) Wt. 1 lb. Caliber .36
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Credit Line
- George F. Harding Collection
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Reference Number
- 1982.2134a-c
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/106235/manifest.json
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.