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Title
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Crossbow with Strange Creatures, 17th Century
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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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At the tip of this crossbow, there is a U-shaped suspension ring
The iron prod is secured to the wooden stock with bindings. There are yellow pom-poms attached to the bindings. The iron prod has a bowstring.
The top of the stock, from the tip to the nut area, is covered with bone plates. There is a missing piece where the bolt rest likely used to be.
There are bone inlays on the stock.
On the left side of the stock, there are three small circles with floral designs and zigzags. There are two inlays depicting dragons or dragon-like creatures. Then there is an inlay showing an ambiguous mammalian creature with bits of foliage near it. This leads us to the trigger area. Between the trigger and the cheek rest, there is scrollwork - two swirls - carved into the stock. On the cheek rest, there is a large and beautiful centerpiece inlay. This inlay depicts a hunter on horseback, carrying a spear, chasing after a mammal. With a long body and long tail, the mammal looks like a mink, weasel, ferret, or otter. However, it could also be a fox or some other creature. At the bottom, on the underside of the cheek rest, there is a broken plate of bone depicting two fantastical creatures and some flowers. The creatures are biting their own tails. There is a flower growing out of the end of each tail.
On the topside of the stock, right after the catch area, there is a bone inlay of a fantastical dragon or dragon-like creature biting its tail, reminiscent of the design on the bottom of the cheek rest. Near the end of the crossbow, there is an inlay with a strange curling design which is so stylized as to be indecipherable. The last bone inlay on the topside shows the head of a grotesque figure, reminiscent of a demon with goat-like horns and a long tongue. It is made of only a head and a tail, like some of the dragon-like creatures previously described. Also like them, its tail has a flower growing out of the end.
On the right side of the crossbow, on the opposite side of the cheekpiece, there is an inlay showing three creatures running. The creatures are ambiguous.
On the backside of the cheek rest, there are the letters “ISR” carved.
The trigger guard is iron. The crossbow has a set trigger.
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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: 62.5 cm
