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Title
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A Saxon crossbow, first half 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. first half of the 18th century
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Location
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Saxony/Germany
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Description
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This bolt crossbow features a slender, blackened steel prod secured to the stock with gilt cord bridling. The front is sparsely decorated by green wool pompoms and a screwed in suspension ring. The fruitwood stock is covered with inlays of polished, delicately engraved antler (several replaced), depicting bird motifs, a satyr's head, a landscape and baroque acanthus tendrils. The bow is operated with a catch lock with a double set trigger protected by a shaped guard. The top of the stock is entirely lined with antler carvings and a bolt rail, and to cap it off, the butt cap made of dark horn, and a cheek rest is also potruded from the bow.
Hermann Historica mentions that this elegant, graceful crossbow is similar to the courtly weapons at the armoury in Dresden. The gilt bridle and the green pompons correspond to the colours of the Saxon state coat of arms and are found on crossbows of Saxon provenance. Weapons of this size are listed in the inventories of the armoury in Dresden as "Wandschnepper" (target crossbows) and were used for target shooting during the 18th century as entertainment for the nobility and wealthy citizens. See H. Richter, Die Kunst der Armbrustmacher in Dresden, Beucha, 2008, pp. 19, 40, 56, 80 and 84.
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Link:
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https://www.hermann-historica.de/en/auctions/lot/id/33973
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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57.5cm
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Crossbow Side Measurements
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71cm
