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Crossbow of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary (reigned 1458–1490)

dated 1489
Not on view
This crossbow is one of the earliest surviving dated examples to include heraldry in its decoration. It was made for Matthias Corvinus (1443–1490), king of Hungary and Bohemia, whose personal coat of arms and the arms of his kingdom are visible. In addition to its rich ornament, the crossbow is remarkable for its sophisticated firing mechanism.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Crossbow of Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary (reigned 1458–1490)
  • Date: dated 1489
  • Geography: possibly Vienna
  • Culture: Central or Eastern European, possibly Vienna
  • Medium: Wood, horn, animal sinew, staghorn, birch bark, iron alloy
  • Dimensions: L. 29 in. (73.7 cm); W. 24 in. (60.9 cm); Wt. 5 lb. 1/2 oz. (2284 g)
  • Classification: Archery Equipment-Crossbows
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1925
  • Object Number: 25.42
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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Saint George and the Dragon, Hans Klocker (under the influence of Michael Pacher) Austrian, Wood, with polychromy and gilding, Austrian or South German
Saint George and the Dragon
Attributed to Hans Klocker
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Crossbow of Count Ulrich V of Württemberg (1413–1480), Heinrich Heid von Winterthur probably Swiss, Wood (European hornbeam), horn, animal sinew, staghorn, birch bark, iron alloy, copper alloy, pigment, German, probably Stuttgart
Crossbow of Count Ulrich V of Württemberg (1413–1480)
Attributed to Heinrich Heid von Winterthur
dated 1460
Crossbow, Wood (European hornbeam), horn, animal sinew, animal glue, birch bark, staghorn, iron alloy, hemp, leather, Central European, possibly Austria
Crossbow
Central European, possibly Austria
ca. 1425–75
Quiver with Eleven Crossbow Bolts, Wood (oak, probably birch), tanned hide (possibly badger), paper, leather, steel, iron alloy, Western or Central European; quiver, possibly German
Quiver with Eleven Crossbow Bolts
Western or Central European; quiver, possibly German
quiver, probably early 16th century; bolts, 14th–16th century
Crossbow, Cranequin and Six Crossbow Bolts, Steel, wood (probably cherry, and possibly service tree), ivory (probably elephant), horn, mother-of-pearl, iron alloy, copper alloy, hemp, southern German or Tyrolese; cranequin probably German or Swiss
Crossbow, Cranequin and Six Crossbow Bolts
southern German or Tyrolese; cranequin probably German or Swiss
crossbow ca. 1600–1650; cranequin dated 1556

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