Lot 1367
A heavy crossbow by Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder (1696 - 1778), Dresden, dated 1717
Arms & Armour, and Antique Firearms | A106aw | Live auction | 581 Lots
Hammer price € 15,000
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Heavy, polished steel prod, the mark of a wheel with a sun burst stamped on the inside on the right. Original anchors and originally knotted hemp bowstring, a braid-like lanyard on the back of the bow. Tassels of green woollen pompoms. Bellied, generously curved tiller in brown fruitwood, lavishly embellished with blackened inlays made of antler, engraved with dense, delicate tendrils containing circular, stylised blossoms, serpent-shaped monsters coiling around the axles of the lock, bunches of fruit and wavy ribbon bows. A border of large, curved volutes with lattice on both sides at the end of the butt, the butt cap in smooth bone. The manufacturer's monogram "I.G.H." on the underside of the tiller,the date "1717" at the front (ground). The top and bottom embellished with typical Hänisch décor in the form of mascarons and volutes. The original nut made of antler and secured with thread. Multi-axle lock, hair set trigger with folding, adjustable trigger shoe. Original bolt channel in brown horn with ground visor rear sight. Several bone inlays, the trigger guard, several threads and pompons have been lost. Slightly damaged in places, signs of handling and age. Width of the bow 78 cm, overall length 75 cm, weight 7 kg. Unparalleled, whole weapon made by the crossbow maker to the court of Augustus the Strong. See H. Richter, Die Kunst der Armbrustmacher in Dresden, Beucha, 2008, pp. 25 - 44.Condition: II - III Questions about the lot?
