The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Crossbow

Crossbow

c. 1460–70
wood (walnut?) inlaid with bone; horn; iron and steel; composite bow (horn and parchment)
Overall: 87 cm (34 1/4 in.); Bow: 74.5 cm (29 5/16 in.); Butt: 4.2 cm (1 5/8 in.)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1725
Location: 210A Armor Court

Did You Know?

In every army in Europe crossbowmen were considered an elite corps, and as such occupied the central position in battle formations.

Description

The cranequin, or winding device sitting on top of the crossbow, made it easier to span for reloading. With a full quiver, a container for bolts and arrows, a hunter could bring home plenty of meat.
  • ?
    Franz Thille, Vienna, Austria
    ?-1916
    Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941), Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1916-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Catalogue of an Exhibition of Arms and Armor: [Exhibition] Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Summer, 1899. Boston: The Museum, 1899. Cat. No. 509
    Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 173, G1; Reproduced: Plate XXXVII, G1 archive.org
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. cat. no. 204, p. 173
    Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. cat. no. 204, p. 192
  • Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).
  • {{cite web|title=Crossbow|url=false|author=|year=c. 1460–70|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1725