The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Crossbow Support

300–200 BCE

China, Warring States period

(475–221 BCE)
bronze inlaid with silver
Overall: 21.8 cm (8 9/16 in.)
Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1947.3
Location: 241A Arts of Ancient China

Did You Know?

Both the support for the crossbow and the inlaid silver pattern on the square socket resemble a bird's long neck and head.

Description

Here, the rectangular socket of the bow support tapers elegantly to form the slender neck of an animal head. Silver inlay of wires and ribbons form an extraordinarily beautiful abstract design consisting of sweeping lines, coils, spirals, and serpentine interlaces.
  • ?–1947
    (Heeramaneck Galleries, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    1947–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Hollis, Howard. "A Chinese Chariot Fitting." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 35, no. 2 (February 1948): 18–19.

    Published as a chariot fitting. Reproduced: p. 14; Mentioned: p. 18 www.jstor.org
    Watson, William. L’art de L’ancienne Chine. Paris: Mazenod, 1979. Mentioned and Reproduced: pl. 279, p. 394
  • {{cite web|title=Crossbow Support|url=false|author=|year=300–200 BCE|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1947.3