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Title
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Elaborate Crossbow with Gilded Eagle Artwork
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Collection Location
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Private Collection
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Date
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circa 1600
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Location
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Germany
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Description
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The thick iron bow is attached to the ebony stock with bindings. The topside and underside of the stock are completely plated with bone. The bone nut is held in place with a nussfaden or nut thread. Behind this, there is an iron bolt clip. After that, there are five holes in a line down the stock, which probably were used to attach a sight or two, now missing.
The auction house notes that the rope work is from a later period than the crossbow.
The ebony of the stock, exposed at the sides, has been decorated with engraving and gilding. Down the sides of the stock, there is the image of a crown and an eagle. The crown has a closed design. The design is such that the two sides could be interpreted as showing the two halves of the double-headed eagle. There are also floral designs reminiscent of the rinceaux style. There is a hunting dog and possibly other small motifs within the floral design.
On the topside of the crossbow, engraved into the bone plate, there is a grotesque or bestial figure. This figure is obscured because the bolt clip is directly on top of it. Along the edges of the bone plates which cover the top and bottom of the stock, there are designs of curling vines and foliage in the rinceaux style.
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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: 63 cm
