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Small Crossbow (Schnepper), Probably for a Woman or Child

dated 1738
Not on view
Made by the court crossbow-maker to the dukes of Saxony, this crossbow has an elegant and finely engraved inlay that distinguishes it as a weapon of high quality intended for use at the court in Dresden or in one of the other nearby ducal residences. The theme of the decoration might suggest that it was used for hunting small game, but the delicate size of this crossbow indicates that it probably was used by a lady or a child for shooting competitions, some of which would have been held indoors.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Small Crossbow (Schnepper), Probably for a Woman or Child
  • Maker: Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder (German, Dresden, 1696–1778)
  • Date: dated 1738
  • Geography: Dresden, Saxony
  • Culture: German, Dresden
  • Medium: Steel, wood (fruitwood, probably plum or cherry), staghorn, hemp, wool, gold, horn
  • Dimensions: L. 22 7/32 in. (56.4 cm); W. 16 15/16 in. (43 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 14 1/2 oz. (866 g)
  • Classification: Archery Equipment-Crossbows
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2011
  • Object Number: 2011.429
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
Crossbow (Halbe Rüstung) with Winder (Cranequin), Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder German, Steel, wood, staghorn, copper alloy, hemp, wool, gold, iron alloy, German, Dresden
Crossbow (Halbe Rüstung) with Winder (Cranequin)
Crossbow by Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder
dated 1742
Crossbow (Halbe Rüstung) with Cranequin (Winder), Steel, wood (fruitwood, probably cherry and plum), staghorn, copper alloy, hemp, wool, probably German, possibly Saxony; cranequin, probably German
Crossbow (Halbe Rüstung) with Cranequin (Winder)
probably German, possibly Saxony; cranequin, probably German
crossbow, ca. 1575–1650; cranequin dated 1562
Crossbow (Halbe Rüstung) with Winder (Cranequin), Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder German, Steel, wood (walnut), staghorn, copper alloy, hemp, leather, silk, gold, iron alloy, wool, crossbow, German, probably Dresden; winder, possibly German
Crossbow (Halbe Rüstung) with Winder (Cranequin)
Crossbow attributed to Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder
crossbow, ca. 1720–30; winder, ca. 1575–1600
Light Crossbow (Schnepper) and Lever from the Armory of Moritzburg Castle, Steel, wood (walnut and possibly hornbeam), staghorn, horn, wool, silk, German, Dresden
Light Crossbow (Schnepper) and Lever from the Armory of Moritzburg Castle
German, Dresden
1728
Pellet Crossbow, Steel, wood (fruitwood, probably cherry), ivory, mother-of-pearl, gold, hemp, iron alloy, probably French
Pellet Crossbow
probably French
late 16th or early 17th century

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