-
Title
-
18th Century French Crossbow
-
HCA Identifier
-
A1051
-
Collection Location
-
Collection The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
-
Date
-
c. 1720
-
Location
-
France
-
Description
-
This crossbow is made entirely of steel. The prod is decorated with etched designs of flowing foliage and hunting animals on a gilded background, and the bowstring made of twisted cord is still intact. The stock has a rectangular shape and ends in a flattened, pear-shaped butt. Its surface is carved in low relief with bands of scrollwork and strapwork, along with scenes of boar hunting, birds, and other animals. The decoration is blued against a golden background.
A lever for drawing the prod is permanently attached along the top of the stock and is decorated to match. At its front end is a catch shaped like a reclining lion and its hinged jaw grips the string when the lever is pushed forward. The lever is then pulled back and secured by a pivoting gilt-brass collar. The trigger operates a bar located beneath the lion.
An almost worn-away inscription "AVBERT A LVNEVILLE" is hidden on the top of the stock beneath the lever. Just behind the lever is a raised decorative feature carved as a scrolling volute that ends in a human-headed creature surrounded by acanthus leaves.
Beyond the prod is a bolt rest, about four inches long, for holding a stone or bullet with its front end decorated with a carved harpy, matching the gilded and strapwork style of the rest of the stock. The trigger guard is curved and ends in a pineapple-shaped knob.
-
Source
-
Collection The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
-
Crossbow Top Measurements
-
Length: 72.9 cm
Span: 43.2 cm
Weight: 2.23 kg
