Maker: Henry, Vesoul (Franche-Comté, France) Date: Circa 1755-1775 (Louis XV period) Type: Pair of deluxe flintlock pistols from a garniture set Description This is an outstanding matched pair of French flintlock pistols of the highest artistic and technical quality, signed on the locks “Henry à Vesoul.” The pistols represent elite late-18th-century French court workmanship and were originally part of a multi-piece garniture, traditionally said to have included a matching long gun. Both pistols feature beautifully carved walnut stocks with deep rococo scrollwork and floral relief carving throughout the fore-stocks, grips, and tang areas. The mounts are finely chiseled steel, extensively decorated with gold damascened scrolls and classical motifs. The trigger guards, butt caps, sideplates, and barrel tangs are all richly sculpted and gilt in the finest French taste of the Louis XV era. The oval butt caps are fitted with exquisite gold-ground portrait medallions depicting a classical-profile male figure in 18th-century style, a decorative motif commonly encountered on high-nobility and royal presentation arms of the period.<span c