Hi,
Wonderful French gun. The craftsmanship is beyond imagining. However, these highly ornate European guns don't appeal to me at all. They often, including this one, look bullied into being rather than enticed. Richard, you are right. The metal art is a 19th century revival of rococo from the 18th century. Some decades earlier it would be "empire" or "imperial" style with lots of figures from Egyptian, Greek, and Roman mythology plastered everywhere. All examples of superhuman skill and they were making highly decorated furniture that happened to be firearms. Some British makers like H. W. Mortimer dabbled in this arena a little making presentation pieces but the Brits rarely pulled off the art or superhuman decoration as well and were rarely in the same league. Where the Brits surpassed everyone else was making slim, elegant, form fitting sporting guns that were technically the best in the world.
dave
