Crossbow
1730/50
Medium
Steel, fruitwood, staghorn, leather, and hemp
Dimensions
11.4 × 73.7 × 88.3 cm (4 1/2 × 29 × 34 3/4 in.)
Classification
crossbow
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106302
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Deadly accurate within a range of about 50 yards, the crossbow remained a popular hunting and target-shooting weapon long after the invention of firearms. Both nobility and common citizens joined crossbow guilds or societies that organized regular competitions. This crossbow decorated with a double-headed eagle is one of several that belong to such a group. It weighs over 21 lbs., representing the largest size used, and can shoot targets up to 70 yards out.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...