Pair of antique flintlock pistols by Jalabert-Lamotte

The pistols feature brown-painted steel barrels, clasped to wooden stocks. Their ramrods are tipped with ivory, and their stocks decorated with scrolling, foliate silver mounts. The triggers are crafted from silver, as are the trigger guards, which are engraved with cartouches, featuring stylised foliate motifs and seashells. The silver butt caps are decorated with relief work, depicting trophy motifs and portraits of Minerva (Athena), the god of strategy in war. The silver hammers are shaped like sea monsters, with their tails flicked upwards. The steel barrels feature gilt decoration and gilt inscriptions, reading ‘CN TORDU’. ‘Jalabert Lamotte à St Etienne' is signed onto the silver lockplates.