Matchlock Rifle

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The deeply curved butt of this hunting gun is characteristic of firearms made in the Sind region of northwest India (now Pakistan). The fine workmanship, particularly the forge-welded barrel with its complicated twist pattern and delicate gold-damascened ornament, reflects the revival of the decorative arts sponsored by the Talpur dynasty that ruled Sind from 1783 to 1843. The barrel is inscribed with the name of one of the ruling family, Sarkar Mir Muhammad Nasir Khan Talpur (d. 1845).

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art