-
Title
-
Silver Inlaid Bronze Crossbow Trigger
-
Collection Location
-
Tokyo, Japan
-
Date
-
Late Warring States period - Han dynasty (c. 205 BC)
-
Location
-
China
-
Description
-
This is a bronze trigger mechanism and a metal casing (guo) covering it to protect the user from the recoil when shooting. It is inlaid with silver and the embellished casing implies that it was crafted for a high-ranking aristocrat or a royal patron exclusively for ceremonial use rather than military practices. The silver inlay display ornate spiral circular, and other geometric patterns. The two extensions decorated with silver on the rear side of the mechanism resemble an abstract animal head. The sear (gouxin) trigger (xuan dao), and axles are covered in bluish-green patina, creating a stark contrast with the silver inlay.
-
Source
-
Japanese Private Collection
-
Crossbow Top Measurements
-
Length: 8¼ in., 21 cm
