374 - A stunning cased pair of flintlock pistols by LePage Moutier, of aristocratic provenance

A stunning cased pair of flintlock pistols by LePage Moutier, of aristocratic provenance dating: circa 1800 provenance: Paris, Smoothbore, round barrels with octagonal breech sections decorated with gold floral motifs, silver front sights, cal. 16.5 mm. Tangs decorated en suite and fitted with rear sights. Flintlock mechanisms with flat lock plates signed "LePage Moutier", richly decorated in gold en suite with the barrels. Working mechanisms. Full wooden stocks with magnificent gilt-silver mounts. The side plates decorated with splendid trophies of classical arms; the butt caps featuring trophies of Napoleonic-period arms with a central fleur-de-lis, and lateral trophies of Renaissance arms. The trigger guards adorned with closed helmets on trophies of arms; the mounts beneath the barrels decorated with a Napoleonic bee on a trophy of arms; the two barrel bands embellished with intertwined laurel wreaths. On the backs, gilt-silver escutcheons bearing the coat of arms of the House of Savoy. One of the two wooden ramrods with a brass tip and fitted with a brass and iron worm. In their wooden case, the lid decorated with an engraved brass plaque bearing the same coat of arms. The inside of the lid lined with burgundy velvet (wear-related damage), with the inscription in gold "FAURE-LEPAGE 8 RUE DE RICHELIEU A PARIS". The compartments for the pistols lined with wood, their edges trimmed with burgundy velvet, and complete with various accessories. Key missing. A magnificent pair of pistols, probably presented by a member of the House of Savoy to a high-ranking military officer or a person of particular distinction.