The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 29, 2023

Crossbow Bolt

1500s–1600s

Germany, 16th-17th century

Wood, leather, steel

Overall: 37.2 cm (14 5/8 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1758

Location

210A Armor Court

Fun Fact

Bolts with leather feathering were used mainly in the Tyrolean area, which includes northern Italy and western Austria.

Description

Also known as a quarrel, crossbow bolts are stockier than arrows, are constructed of durable materials, and can be reused on the field of battle.

Provenance
?
Franz Thill, Vienna, Austria
?-1916
Frank Gair Macomber, Boston, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1916-
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Catalogue of an Exhibition of Arms and Armor: [Exhibition] Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Summer, 1899. Boston: The Museum, 1899. Cat. No. 528
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. 174, G4 archive.org
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. p. 138
Exhibition history

European Arms and Armor from the Cleveland Museum of Art (Long-term Loan). Birmingham Museum of Art (organizer) (July 1, 1993-July 1, 1995).

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

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1758