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Title
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Ornate Crossbow, 17th Century
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Collection Location
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Unknown (private collection)
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Date
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Around 1660-1690
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Location
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Germany
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Description
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On the tip of this crossbow, there is a very small suspension ring. The prod is steel and has its original bowstring. Bindings secure the prod to the fruitwood stock. The bolt rest and related bonework is still present.
The lock is a catch or clap lock mechanism. The trigger is not visible in the photo, but there is an iron trigger guard. At the end of the stock there is a cheekplate.
In terms of decoration, the crossbow is very ornate. The bonework near the bolt rest has some artistic designs, though they are not clear in the photo. The stock has extensive bone inlay of birds and hazel tree branches, covering an area starting at the bindings of the prod and reaching to the very end of the crossbow. Additionally, the top of the stock and the cheek rest have scrollwork, evocative of the rinceaux style. The largest bird on the crossbow is in the centre of the lightly concave cheek rest. At the very bottom of the cheek rest, there is a small plaque with the initials “G K” in the middle. The auction house notes that this crossbow is in very good condition.
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Source
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Thierry de Maigret Commissaire-Priseur [Thierry de Maigret Auction House]
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 74 cm (about 2 ft 5 in)
Width: 66 cm (about 2 ft 2 in)
