Crossbow of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary (reigned 1458–1490)

Title
Crossbow of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary (reigned 1458–1490)
HCA Identifier
25.42
Collection Location
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/22878

Collection Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Date
1489
Location
Central or Eastern European, possibly Vienna
Description
This crossbow, on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is dated back to 1489 and was created for Mattias Cornivus, the king of Hungary and Bohemia which is indicated by Cornivus’s personal Coat of Arms and the Coat of Arms of his Kingdom being visible in its decoration. This crossbow is significant due not only to its detailed ornamentation but also its complex firing mechanism. Due to the complex firing mechanism and decoration, this crossbow was most likely used for hunting or ceremonial purposes rather than warfare.3 Its construction is placed in possibly Vienna Austria due to King Mattias Cronivus’s residence there. It is made from Wood, horn, animal sinew, staghorn, and iron alloy.
Materials/Media Wood, horn, animal sinew, staghorn, birch bark, iron alloy

Dimensions/Measurements Length: 73.7cm Width: 60.9cm, Weight: 2284g

Other notes Rogers Fund, 1925
Source
Collection Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
Item sets
The Metropolitan Museum of Art