Lot Nr.2155

A rare all-metal magnificent crossbow,

German (Nuremberg?), circa 1580. Gold plated prod with etched decoration of leaping hares and hounds amid leafy vines. Two-piece iron tiller. The front part has fine gold inlaid arabesque decoration. The rear half is octagonal with chiselled and gilded ornamentation and inlayed dots of silver. The end plate bears an engraved coat of arms. There is a lightly engraved belt hook on the under side. Extremely rare self-cocking mechanism. The quarrel channel and the lock are set on a threaded bar, and move back and forth as the grip piece is turned. In this way, the bowstring can be caught in the nut and the prod spanned. The underside of the quarrel channel shows an old inventory number. Length 24.5 cm.
Extremely rare type of crossbow, which possesses great strength in spite of its dimensions. This weapon, also called a balestrino, was especially favored in Italy during the 16th and 17th centuries. In many European cities, draconian measures were taken to prohibit it shortly after it arrived, as it could be easily concealed beneath clothing, and it was a silent, deadly weapon frequently used for secret assassination.
Provenance: Sotheby's Arms & Armour Sale, 19 April 1977, Lot 157.

Condition: II-

Limit: 15000 EURO