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Lot n° 147

Rare flintlock hunting rifle for Monsieur, brother...

Estimate :
12 000 - 15 000 EUR

Rare flintlock hunting rifle for Monsieur, brother of the King, comte de Provence, future Louis XVIII. Round barrel with flattened top, entirely blued, richly engraved and decorated in gold: -at the muzzle with pearled and foliate friezes. -on the silver rear sight, a radiating motif. - to the silver rear sight, decorated with flowers and rocaille, with a radiating motif enriched with clouds and lightning bolts. -on the thunderbolt, the signature "TOUPRIANT A PARIS" and a trophy of arms. The thunderbolt is stamped with two fleurs-de-lis and palm leaves (attributed to Leclerc, gunner) on a gold background. Tailstock engraved with a quiver. Round-bodied lock engraved with an undergrowth wolf, palms and the signature "TOUPRIANT ARQUEBUSIER DE SAS MGR LE DUC DE CHARTRES A PARIS". Round-bodied dog engraved with a dragon, upper jaw engraved with a lion's maw. Chased and engraved iron battery decorated with a cloud enriched with lightning bolts. Superb chased silver fittings: -Passages and entrance of baguette with spiral decoration enriched with friezes. -Counter plate decorated with foliage, quivers and flowers. -Trigger guard decorated with flowers and a weapon trophy. -Tailpiece (repaired) engraved "n°4" (this number can be found inside the lock). -Bedplate with rocaille decoration enriched with a hunting trophy. -Thumbpiece engraved with the coat of arms of France, edged with a fleurdelys crown, of the Count of Provence. Carved walnut frame with long shaft. Cheekstock covered with purple velvet (worn) edged with silver passementerie braid. Wooden ramrod with horn tip. Silver hallmarks including large discharge Paris (1775-1781) B.E. (Minor wear and cracks to the wood). circa 1780. Length: 150 cm Related work : -A similar rifle in the Wallace collection (Inventory A1123), with the same decoration and signature, numbered "11". -Another Toupriant rifle in the collections of the Musée des Arts décoratifs (former Reubell collection). Historical background: According to Jarlier Buigné, Toupriant or Soupriant was active in Paris in 1770-1780, on rue des grands augustins, as Harquebusier to the Duc de Chartres and then Harquebusier to the King and Monsieur. It is probably in the latter capacity that he made our rifle.

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9-11, rue Royale - 77300 Fontainebleau