Cranequin
Unknown Artist
c. 1480–1500
Medium
steel and brass; incised decoration; pierced traceried Gothic windows
Dimensions
rack: w. 39.4 cm · crank: w. 30.2 cm
Classification
Arms and Armor
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
Accession Number
1916.2082
About this artwork
Bows made of composite materials were developed during the 1400s. They were immensely powerful and could be spanned only with the aid of a winder called a cranequin like the one seen here.