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Title
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A beautiful engraved crossbow with its windlass
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Collection Location
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Private Collection
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Date
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17th Century
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Location
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Germany
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Description
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This crossbow features a finely engraved wooden stock and a steel ring and steel prod attached to it with a rope bridle. Its bowstring is intact and its windlass is present. The wooden stock is entirely veneered by engraved ivory sheets. On the top of the stock in the surfaces flanking the groove for the arrow the bone is engraved with vine-like floral designs. Behind the locking mechanism the image of an eagle is engraved, followed by a sequence of winged cherubs and a goat around a pillar-like structure surrounded by flora. On the bottom of the stock right below the ring is engraved an image of a winged cherub with tentacles and a spear. After that is engraved a griffin framed by vines that leads into another cherub holding up a framed image of the side profile of a person. Along the sides of the stock, the engraving is split into two sprawling scenes. The top halves of the side veneers are engraved with crawling vines and flora, with the bottom half featuring engraved images of wildlife, hunting, and daily scenes involving humans and animals like rabbits, horses, unicorns, dogs, bears and birds. The butt of the stock is covered by an engraved bone plate depicting an elephant.
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Source
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CZERNY'S INTERNATIONAL AUCTION HOUSE
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 61.5cm
