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Title
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Crossbow attributed to Louis XII of France
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Collection Location
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Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Vienna, Austria
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Date
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1499-1514
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Location
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Spain
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Description
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The prod, the trigger, the stirrup are made of iron and the bow is carved and etched with gold floral patterns, implying its Spanish roots along with the shape of the crossbow itself. There is a slightly visible stamp on the bow . The stock is painted with the French royal coat of arms and the coat of arms of Anne de Bretagne, along with Louis' personal symbol of the Order of the Porcupine, indicating it to be a hunting weapon meant for Louis XII of France, manufactured in Spain. It is inlaid with ebony and ivory vine and floral designs. The prod binding clasped around the bridle is composed of iron instead of rope and the nut is made of antler. A windlass is seen to be hooked on the string, however, it is unclear whether the mechanism also belongs to the same time period.
The museum site states that it probably posed as a diplomatic gift to Louis XII from Philip I the Fair of Spain but due to political disputes remained in the possession of the Hapsburg dynasty.
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Source
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Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 83,5 cm
Breadth: 60 cm
Tiller: 18 cm
