Returned to lender The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.
Crossbow (Modern Replica)
Not on view
The crossbow was one variety of long-range, delayed-discharge weapons used in ancient China. The launching mechanism (see ill.), usually cast in bronze, was mounted at the rear of the wood arm. The bow staves were installed crossways at the front. The arrow was nestled lengthwise into the flight groove. While an archer pulls a regular bow using only the strength of his arm, a crossbow calls for the added support of both his foot and back, yielding a more powerful release. Moreover, the delayed discharge allowed for more time to take aim and, therefore, greater precision.
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