Matchlock Musket (me mda') barrel, probably 18th–19th century; stock and other fittings, probably mid-19th–early 20th century Tibetan Matchlock muskets were first introduced into Tibet during the 16th or 17th century, probably via China and India or through other trade routes or diplomatic contacts. Although more technologically advanced forms of firearms were known in Tibet by the late 19th century, matchlocks continued to be used regularly well into the 20th century. Most Tibetan matchlocks are plain, functional hunting weapons, with little or no ornament (see and ). The

Matchlock Musket (me mda') barrel, probably 18th–19th century; stock and other fittings, probably mid-19th–early 20th century Tibetan Matchlock muskets were first introduced into Tibet during the 16th or 17th century, probably via China and India or through other trade routes or diplomatic contacts. Although more technologically advanced forms of firearms were known in Tibet by the late 19th century, matchlocks continued to be used regularly well into the 20th century. Most Tibetan matchlocks are plain, functional hunting weapons, with little or no ornament (see and ). There are a few rare Tibetan firearms that, by their decoration, can be identified as votive or ritual objects (see and ). The third broad category of Tibetan firearms, to which this example belongs, comprises muskets with varying degrees of decoration, but fully functional and intended for secular use. The workmanship of the embossed silver plaques covering its stock has many parallels, in terms of style, technique, and design, in secular and religious silver objects produced in Tibet in the late 19th and early 20th century. Decorated muskets of this type were carried by individuals taking part in festivals, on ceremonial occasions, or by the guards of persons of rank. Horseback archery and target shooting with muskets were the focus of a ceremony called "The Gallop behind the Fort," which was the last event of the annual month-long New Year Festival held in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa. All Tibetan lay officials were tested in these skills until at least the late 1940s, and other shooting contests involving muskets were held annually during the same period. In any of these events, elaborately decorated muskets like this may have been used or plain stock of dark wood is fitted with several silver plaques embossed in low relief with bold symmetrical designs featuring central blossoms set among arrangements of leafy scrollwork. The undecorated barrel

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