18 May 2014
"Small Bore," thank you for bringing this combined example of the gun-maker's and engraver's art to our attention, and for providing the opportunity to assess the artist's work, as well as to perhaps consider the artist's references and motives.
First, I appreciate and like this gun's very interesting and intriguing appearance. I am one of those who lavishes much attention on fine guns that are engraved. In fact, all my guns are engraved. From my perspective, though, one's appreciation is enhanced and especially informed by an understanding of the historical setting in which the gun was completed, which might also provide a reference, some rationale or motive behind the artist's work that is before us, thereby happily edifying the curious.
Several historical events and current popular culture seem met in your instant work. We know about the matter of a specially prepared gun exhibited at an important event. We know this is 1912, and that there is an ongoing fascination with the Near and Middle East, driven by archaeological discoveries in the those regions. News concerning the latest discoveries by famous British field archaeologists is proudly disseminated worldwide to an avid readership. Ancient art, representing many cultures, is in vogue, and is finding new forms of expression.
Not to be forgotten, however, is the influence on the period's gun-makers of W. W. Greener's "St. George Gun," an artistic achievement that came to the attention of gun-makers and the general public alike in 1907. Its trumpeted completion was also meant as something of an Edwardian period gauntlet, a direct challenge to the other hotly competing gun-making firms of the era. Ask yourself: What figures are depicted on the St. George gun? Well, at least one is a ferocious dragon, that beast in the process of being slain by St. George.
The subject Holland & Holland gun's high relief metal carving and engraving patterns appear to combine current influences of culture and business, as well as other references from that time. While culture simply finds expression wherever it can without effort, the practical nature of a gun-maker's business compels a need to focus its competitive efforts to advantage against other gun-makers that are competing within the same very narrow and specialized marketplace, where it is of vital importance to differentiate, as well as to ceaselessly promote, their respective though too similar products.
I appreciate and admire the Near and Middle Eastern-inspired gargoyles depicted on the Holland & Holland gun: the winged lion, winged lions with eagle beaks or the classical 'gryphon,' and scaly winged-serpents, variously interpreted as symbols of kingship, majesty and the devil, rendered here in the aesthetics of both Celtic and Gaelic art. Each of these separate forms of ancient artistic and cultural expression is found incorporated in the great works of Gothic architecture, whether employed as practical waterspouts, or in the alternative, as talismans for or protectors of the superstitious wanting to ward off the unwanted attentions of evil forces. Granted, the morphed female and male grotesque bottom of the action body is an odd choice for the engraver, and perhaps a very bad choice, depending on individual taste, yet it too is in keeping with similar grotesques carved into the building stones of High Gothic cathedrals throughout the U.K and Europe in particular.
I greatly admire the Holland & Holland's carved fences, and have bought guns partly because of their beautifully carved fences, and would be more delighted to see this entire work deeply carved as well; but that is not what is seen here. The figures and surrounding depictions are typically large, in the usual Holland & Holland fashion. However, the overall work appears to have been hastily achieved, which haste is to some degree evidenced by a near lack of adequate-to-scale background or filler, as if the time clock had run out, and the piece had to go to the client or boss on or before a date certain. I believe this work was done by an outworker and not in-house.
In this period, it was not unusual for a gun-maker to write a note, say, on a Tuesday to the outside engraver that (I paraphrase) would read, "Please provide this much, in terms of value in pounds and/or shillings, of your usual engraving pattern, and return the engraved piece to me, the gun-maker, by no later than Friday." Now, imagine the reaction of the maker's outworker or employee when asked to produce something wholly out of the ordinary no later than three or four days hence. Do not forget that during this period even skilled labor is cheaper than materials, so if the laborer cannot do the job and will not be paid, someone else is waiting to take your place and be paid for the work. Panic ensues. Sketches are quickly drawn, based on whatever references are to be had, which may include the neighborhood cathedral, and the work is hurriedly commenced and just as hurriedly completed. The completed work is found acceptable by the maker, with a sigh of relief, and the gun timely goes on display in the exhibit hall.
Again, I very much like your engraved Holland & Holland gun. It is quite different from the standard productions of the era's other firms, and therefore unique. I suspect, too, that the subject engraving is appreciably smaller than is suggested by your photographs, particularly from the closeups, which surmise is confirmed by the forearm photographed in your hand, which provides a more correct visual scale of the engraver's work.
Best regards,
Edwardian
