A rare crossbow 'Nu', Eastern Han dynasty

Title

A rare crossbow 'Nu', Eastern Han dynasty

Collection Location

A private collection

Date

206BC to 220AD, Han Dynasty Period

Location

Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

Description

The crossbow has its wooden stock and bronze mechanism, including the hook, with green patina intact. The prod is missing. The wood has rotted with black marks appearing on the side. Its size and range can be understood by the traces of the scale on the bronze firing mechanism. According to the auction house's expert, it is somewhat similar to the crossbow mechanisms found in the Terracotta Pits.

The estimated date and elements of the description of the date are provided by the auction house’s expert on Asian Art, Philippe Smolarski, who is quoted in an article here-

Source

Cheffins Auction House

Link:

https://fineart.cheffins.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-27---a-rare-crossbow-nu-eastern-han-dynasty/?lot=161900&so=4&st=crossbow&sto=0&au=&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=1&mc=620&pp=10&pn=1&g=-1#

Crossbow Top Measurements

54cm long, 21cm high