A Sporting Crossbow of Halbe Rüstung Type, c. 1660 - 1700

2987

Item ref: 2987

  • Germany, probably Dresden
  • Steel, iron, gilding, wood, exotic hardwood veneer, staghorn, hemp cord, leather, silk
  • 60 cm / 23.6 in

Provenance:

Private collection, France

The maker’s mark is struck on the bow-lath.

Bows of this type were used for the sport of shooting wooden targets set atop a high pole. This pastime was particularly popular with the nobility and landed classes within the eastern German regions, the colourful competitions took on highly elaborate protocols and regalia, and consequently Dresden emerged as the centre for the manufacturing of crossbows of notably high quality.

 

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