Europe, Germany, ca. 18th century to early 19th century CE. A striking crossbow featuring a gorgeous elongated polished wooden stock naturally decorated with swirling burnt umber hued woodgrain on a red-brown base and a wooden bowstave covered in sewn animal hide. A stunning layer of bovine bone with intricately incised decoration of patchwork, petaloid, and phytomorphic motifs adorns its upper side from its iron stirrup down to its ungulate bone butt, along with an ornately carved cartilage spring clip and bovine bone rolling nut. The base is equipped with a metal trigger which springs from an additional bovine bone inlay, while another bone inlay shaped like a shield and carved with a cross is found near the bowstave. Beautiful circular bone insets accent the sides, each with designs of a shell, flower, duck, and ibex. The string is made of plant reeds adhered together and wrapped in fiber. This lovely crossbow is historical evidence that looks can kill! Size: 24.25" L x 23.25" W x 4.5" H (61.6 cm x 59.1 cm x 11.4 cm)

The letters H and L are carved into the top bovine bone inlay accompanied with crosses beside each of them. These markings could represent a blessing on the weapon or its owner, as HL is the German abbreviation for saint or holy (heilig), or could possibly be the initials of the crossbow's owner.

Provenance: ex Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000

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