Details

Object type

crossbow

Place Associated

Europe, North West Europe (place of manufacture)

Date

mid 15th century

Materials

iron, sinew, wood, bone, ivory

Description

Of a type known as a composite bow, it is constructed of different substances. Wood (especially yew) is prevalent. This is reinforced with rams horn or baleen (a keratinous horn-like material from the mouths of larger species of whale) and sinew – records tell us this was from cattle and seals. This sandwich of materials was held together with fish glue and, if not varnished, then wrapped in parchment or birch bark painted with a chequered design (possibly to look like snakeskin). This method of composite construction was known in Europe from at least the 13th century. Although the stronger steel-bowed crossbow was increasing in popularity in Europe by the 15th century, it has been suggested that the composite bow was more pliable and less likely to fracture under pressure in certain conditions such as hunting in winter. A biographical account of German Emperor Maximilian has a woodcut showing him hunting chamois high in the Alps with this type of weapon. The lavish decoration on bows of this kind has led to the assumption that they were purely used for hunting. However, there is contemporary artwork showing beautifully decorated bows of this kind being used by soldiers.

The gracefully shaped tiller is tapered and thickened at the points were strength is most important. The bones of the animals it may have been used to hunt are used to decorate it. There is stag bone decoratively inlaid into the wood. Functional components such as the nut would also have been made from venery by-products. In 1225 an Englishman was ordered to hand over all the deer antlers in his forest to the king’s crossbowmaker.

Credit Line/Donor

Bequeathed by R L Scott, 1939

Collection

R L Scott Collection

ID Number

E.1939.65.sx.[1]

Location

Kelvingrove Conflict and Consequence