A MINIATURE ENGLISH BLUNDERBUSS BY EDUARDO RUIZ

A miniature English blunderbuss made entirely by hand, the stock carved of hardwood with matchlock mechanism, barrel, triggerguard, cap box and cleaning rod all well-detailed in metal. In its fitted handmade hardwood case with brass hardware, signed on the reverse by the artist, E. RUIZ. 1940-1950. Famed miniature artist and gunsmith Eduardo Ruiz was a native of Barcelona who crafted only 340 unique miniature antique guns during the 1940s. He traveled widely in order to study first- hand the museum examples he selected for his miniatures, and none was ever duplicated; each is unique. Eduardo Ruiz used silver, copper and other metals as well as fine hardwoods and exotic materials such a bone, antler and tusk in his artwork. He also crafted each presentation case to suit the size of each specific piece, using fine brass hardware and setting a presentation plaque on the lid of each one for the owner’s initials. The underside always bears his distinctive signature. Overall length of miniature 6cm. Condition II