Sporting Crossbow
- Culture
- Swiss
- Date
- 17th century
- made in
- Switzerland, Europe
- Classification
- Arms & armor
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 138
- Dimensions
- 28 13/16 x 31 7/8 x 7 1/8 in. (73.2 x 81 x 18.1 cm)
weight: 15 lb. 10 oz. (7.1 kg) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 68:1939.1
NOTES
The use of crossbows dates back to ancient China. By the Middle Ages, they had become a powerful weapon in Europe. Lighter crossbows could be spanned, or armed, by hand, while the heavier steel types, such as this one, required assistance in the form of a hand winder which, when placed atop the stock of the weapon and engaging the bowstring, mechanically drew it back by rotating the handle. The wood stock of this sporting bow is inlaid with engraved plaques depicting the life of that most famous of crossbowmen, William Tell.
Provenance
William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), Beverly Hills, CA, USA
- 1939
Parish-Watson & Co. Inc., New York, NY
1939 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Parish-Watson & Co., Inc. [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the Parish-Watson invoice dated June 30, 1939. It lists twenty-one objects (including 68:1939.1) and identifies them as previously belonging to the William Randolph Hearst collection. The relationship between Hearst and Parish-Watson is unknown. 68:1939.1 is designated on the invoice as lot 455 art. 108 [SLAM document files].
[1] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 8, 1939.
- 1939
Parish-Watson & Co. Inc., New York, NY
1939 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Parish-Watson & Co., Inc. [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the Parish-Watson invoice dated June 30, 1939. It lists twenty-one objects (including 68:1939.1) and identifies them as previously belonging to the William Randolph Hearst collection. The relationship between Hearst and Parish-Watson is unknown. 68:1939.1 is designated on the invoice as lot 455 art. 108 [SLAM document files].
[1] Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 8, 1939.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.