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Three Centuries of Tradition: The Renaissance of Custom Gunmaking in America
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On view through April 25, 2004 at the Audrey Jones Beck Building
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Mark Silver, London-Style, (c. 1762) Flintlock Fowler (detail), 1999
Collection of Dr. Gary Silver
The handmade sporting arms on view exemplify the highest standards of artistry.
Throughout European history, a well-stocked cabinet of arms for sporting purposes served as one of the most important symbols of wealth and taste. Gunsmiths combined the highest artistic standards of woodcarving, silver- and goldsmithing, ornamental ironwork, engraving, and relief chiseling to create spectacular hunting arms for the European nobility.
The tradition of custom-made sporting arms continued in America. Hunting arms, an everyday necessity, were valued as beautiful decorative artworks through the early 19th century. After 1820, the rise of industrialization, and the advent of mass production, contributed to the decline of custom gunmaking. The craft experienced a renaissance in the 1950s, when custom gunmakers turned to historical styles for inspiration. This time, they took advantage of new technologies in precision machining that were developed during World War II.
This exhibition focuses on outstanding examples of work by living American gunmakers who were inspired by three centuries of traditional gunmaking.
Generous support for this exhibition is provided by the Cullen Foundation, Luther King Capital Management, Rosanette Cullen in honor of Harry Cullen, Alfred C. Glassell III, Mr. Thomas G. Jameson, John L. Wortham & Son, L.L.P., Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. McCord, Mr. and Mrs. John Nau III, Mr. and Mrs. W. Walter Negley, and Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Ballard.
Related Events:
Special Exhibition Lecture:Three Centuries of Tradition: The Renaissance of Custom Gunmaking in America
At the Caroline Wiess Law Building
Sunday, February 22, 2004 2:00 PM
Three Centuries of Tradition: The Renaissance of Custom Gunmaking in America
At the Audrey Jones Beck Building
Tuesday, February 3, 2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday, February 10, 2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday, February 17, 2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday, February 24, 2004 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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