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Title
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A Saxon courtly crossbow by Georg Escher, 1st third of the 18th century
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Collection Location
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Private location
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Date
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c. 18th century
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Location
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Saxony
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Description
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This bolt crossbow features a slender steel bow, with a wheel mark with sunburst struck on the inside of the right prod. It is secured by a bundle of thick bridling, and strung with string, both in different shades. Pom-poms of greenish color can be seen attached to the front, alongside a riveted suspension ring. The fruitwood bow is inlaid with polished, finely engraved antler inlays depicting a parrot and an owl, flowery patterns, interspersed with old brand marks as decorative elements, and at the front, with an engraved maker’s initials "GE" (Georg Escher). The bow is capped off with an antler butt cap, with a downwards catch with double set trigger to catch the string. Moving down along the bow, the trigger guard is completely missing where it should be, as well as parts of the bolt clip.
Hermann Historica notes that this crossbow similar to the courtly weapons of the Dresden armoury, probably commissioned or a gift for the Munich court. In the 18th century, weapons of this kind were used by the aristocracy and the rich for target shooting as a pastime. Citing Cf. H. Richter, Die Kunst der Armbrustmacher in Dresden (tr. The art of crossbow makers in Dresden), Beucha, 2008, p. 18-24, there is evidence that at least one crossbow was dispatched from Dresden to Munich (Richter, page 102, note 109).
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Link:
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https://www.hermann-historica.de/en/auctions/lot/id/672817
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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56cm
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Crossbow Side Measurements
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69.7cm
