The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of November 28, 2023

Pellet Crossbow

1600s

South Germany (?), 17th century

Wood, inlaid with stag horn; flax cord; steel with traces of paint and gilding

Overall: 82.6 cm (32 1/2 in.); Bow: 59.4 cm (23 3/8 in.); Butt: 9.5 cm (3 3/4 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1726

Location

210A Armor Court

Fun Fact

This is a custom-made crossbow combining popular Italian and German designs of the 1600s.

Description

This ornate pellet crossbow is designed to fire molded clay pellets or small rocks, giving it the name stonebow. The bow is hand drawn and used for hunting small game.

Provenance
?-1916
Frank Gair Macomber (1849-1941), Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1916-
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Catalogue of Arms and Armour. Vol. 4, 17th to 19th century and a few pieces of iron work. [Boston, Massachusetts]: [Frank Gair Macomber], [1900-1915]. Mentioned and Reproduced: No. (240) 263 archive.org
Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 176, G11; Reproduced: Plate XXXVIII, G11 archive.org
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. p. 139
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. cat. no. 208, p. 193
Exhibition history

Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1726