The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Matchlock Musket

Matchlock Musket

c. 1750
(1299–1922)
Wood, steel, brass, mother-of-pearl inlay, and leather
Overall: 103.5 cm (40 3/4 in.); Barrel: 68.3 cm (26 7/8 in.)
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.828
Location: 116 Islamic

Did You Know?

A matchlock musket was loaded from the muzzle end with a scouring stick kept in a sleeve on the underside of the barrel.

Description

Collectively, the Safavid, Mughal, and Ottoman empires are known as the Gunpowder Empires. Particularly from the 1500–1700s, they were among the strongest economic, cultural, and militaristic powers. Each trained and equipped their armies with the latest gunpowder firearms, particularly cannons and muskets. While used in battle, muskets were also used for leisure activities, particularly hunting. The decoration on this musket suggests it was a courtly item, fitted with a leather pad to protect the shooter from the force of the explosion after firing.
  • ?–1916
    Jeptha Homer Wade II [1857–1926], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1916–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Strong, Meghan E. “Art of the Islamic World.” Cleveland Art: Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine 61, no. 3 (Summer 2021): 28-30. Reproduced and Mentioned: P. 29.
  • Art of the Islamic World (Islamic art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (May 21, 2021-May 31, 2022).
    Islamic art rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (December 21, 2016-December 4, 2017).
    Art and Stories from Mughal India. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 31-October 23, 2016).
  • {{cite web|title=Matchlock Musket|url=false|author=|year=c. 1750|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.828