Cambodian/Laotian crossbow
Went back to the antiques fair the other weekend-they hold this event twice a year. Was literally leaving when I spied this item on one of the tables.
Bow-1 7/8x5/8 inches, 23 1/2 inches long. Stock is 19 Inches long. The draw would not be longer than 5 1/2 inches. The string is original but needed conservation. It would have been held behind the wide groove in the stock and the bone lock probably held in place with the thumb. When this added pressure was released, the arrow fired.
Am amazed that this appears to be based on "improved" target locks of Europe from 1600 onward; or maybe the other way around!
This is not a tourist item, the bow and stock are very well worked and there is good patina.
Your observations most welcome. -j-
Bow-1 7/8x5/8 inches, 23 1/2 inches long. Stock is 19 Inches long. The draw would not be longer than 5 1/2 inches. The string is original but needed conservation. It would have been held behind the wide groove in the stock and the bone lock probably held in place with the thumb. When this added pressure was released, the arrow fired.
Am amazed that this appears to be based on "improved" target locks of Europe from 1600 onward; or maybe the other way around!
This is not a tourist item, the bow and stock are very well worked and there is good patina.
Your observations most welcome. -j-
Hi,
Congrats! What an interesting find.
The shape doesn't ring a bell, it certainly doesn't resemble any of the Southern Chinese crossbows I've seen so far.
There was quite a presence of Portuguese in Asia around the 1600's, all kinds of Asian cultures copied their firearms up to China and Japan. Perhaps the mechanism is also inspired by Western technology brought be the Portuguese, or the other way around.
(In the 16th and 17th century the Portuguese also introduced chili peppers, sweet potatoes, peanuts and all kinds of other stuff that is regarded as typically Asian nowadays.)
-Peter
Congrats! What an interesting find.
The shape doesn't ring a bell, it certainly doesn't resemble any of the Southern Chinese crossbows I've seen so far.
There was quite a presence of Portuguese in Asia around the 1600's, all kinds of Asian cultures copied their firearms up to China and Japan. Perhaps the mechanism is also inspired by Western technology brought be the Portuguese, or the other way around.
(In the 16th and 17th century the Portuguese also introduced chili peppers, sweet potatoes, peanuts and all kinds of other stuff that is regarded as typically Asian nowadays.)
-Peter