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Light Crossbow (Schnepper) from the Armory of Sedlitz Palace

dated 1733
Not on view
This light crossbow belongs to a series of nearly identical weapons––once numbering 24––from Sedlitz Palace near Dresden, a residence of the dukes of Saxony. Duke Friedrich August I "the Strong" (1670–1733) and his son Friedrich Augustus II (1696–1763) also ruled as Kings of Poland from 1697 to 1763. Shooting competitions with guns and crossbows took place during congregations of the Polish chivalric Order of the White Eagle, which had its official seat at the palace. Made by the ducal court crossbow-maker in Dresden, the elaborate decoration of this weapon reflects the high esteem in which the art of crossbow-making was held at thee court during the eighteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Light Crossbow (Schnepper) from the Armory of Sedlitz Palace
  • Maker: Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder (German, Dresden, 1696–1778)
  • Date: dated 1733
  • Geography: Dresden
  • Culture: German, Dresden
  • Medium: Steel, wood (walnut), staghorn, hemp, wool, gold
  • Dimensions: L. 27 11/16 in. (70.3 cm); W. 22 1/2 in. (57.1 cm); Wt. 4 lb. 5 oz. (1,949 g)
  • Classification: Archery Equipment-Crossbows
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Gift, 2010
  • Object Number: 2010.315
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Small Crossbow (Schnepper), Probably for a Woman or Child, Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder German, Steel, wood (fruitwood, probably plum or cherry), staghorn, hemp, wool, gold, horn, German, Dresden
Small Crossbow (Schnepper), Probably for a Woman or Child
Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder
dated 1738
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)
Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder
crossbow, ca. 1720–30; winder, ca. 1575–1600
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)
Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder
dated 1742
Rapier of Prince-Elector Christian II of Saxony (1583–1611), Israel Schuech German, Steel, bronze, gold, enamel, paste jewels, cameos, pearls, wood, hilt, German, Dresden; blade, Spanish, Toledo
Rapier of Prince-Elector Christian II of Saxony (1583–1611)
Israel Schuech
Juan Martinez
dated 1606
Hunting Sword, Johann Georg Klett German, Steel, silver, gold, bloodstone, German, Dresden
Hunting Sword
Johann Georg Klett
ca. 1750

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