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Title
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Northern and Southern Dynasties (420CE - 589CE)
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Collection Location
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Shanghai Museum
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Date
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Northern and Southern Dynasties (420CE - 589CE)
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Location
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China
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Description
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This crossbow mechanism held by the Shanghai Museum is dated to the Northern and Southern dynasties. Its specific location of unearthing is not listed.
The mechanism is made of bronze and it comprises most of the typical parts of a Chinese crossbow mechanism. The long rectangular protrusion at the top of the mechanism is the sight, or wangshan (望山). The two small hooks sticking out in front of the sight are a part of the same component as the wangshan and serve as the nut, or ya (牙). The rectangular handle at the bottom of the mechanism is the trigger, or xuandao (悬刀), and within the bronze casing, or guo (郭) there is a sear, or gouxin (钩心), which hangs exposed from the mechanism in this photo, connecting the sight and nut and the trigger. Unlike most crossbow mechanisms however, this specimen appears to only be held together by one bronze axle pin, having only one hole in the casing for the placement of the bronze axle which has been corroded through. The top surface of the bronze casing has a groove that goes down the middle of its top surface which would continue onto the wooden stock of the crossbow. This groove would be where the arrow rests during drawing and aiming.
The surface of this mechanism has been corroded and oxidized quite severely. But on the side of the mechanism’s casing there is what appears to be an insignia resembling a flower of some sort carved out of the surface. This might have been a craftsman’s signature or the clan or family crest of the owner of the crossbow.
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Source
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Shanghai Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Measurements not listed
