λ A BONE AND MICROMOSAIC-INLAID OTTOMAN MIQUELET-LOCK RIFLE
Ottoman Turkey, late 18th - 19th century

With a long, faceted watered steel barrel, with an octagonal section, retained by six silver bands, the barrel marked STP and stamped in unreadable Arabic characters within a niche-shaped cartouche towards the lock, the figured walnut fullstock extending into a pentagonal section widening butt, inset with silver studs arranged in geometric layouts, variously shaped bone and ivory panels, further decorated with inset khatamkari (micromosaic) roundels and brass nails forming lozenge and various geometric designs, the marquetry work extending to reach the portion of the stock below the lock, silver-damascened scrolling vegetal motifs next to the bolt handle, the lock part silver-inlaid and part silver-covered engraved with leafy motifs and meandering vine, 107cm long.

Provenance: Christie's South Kensington, Arms & Armour, 30 November 2009, lot 19.

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