Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty Imperial Military Archer Composite Bow
$2,500.00
Very Rare Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Dynasty imperial military archer's large composite war or strength bow made by 正元- Zhengyuan.
DETAILS: A composite bow made from several elements of horn, sinew, and wood. Outer side appliqued with high-quality horn bellies, the inner side is covered with painted in brown and beige Birch - bark, with the handle wrapped in cork on the middle bordered by shagreen and flanked by inlay in white bon traditional Chinese cay pattern. The ear is applied with black Ox - Horn nock with a maker's mark 正元-Zhengyuan.
According to the regulations ray-skin was used during the Qianlong period on military bows and bows of the imperial guard.
The process to make a composite bow was very long and complicated, different horn was used, wood, and sinew, and a correct balance between these different components provided a highly efficient bow, therefore, composite bows were very expensive compared to other weapons. The composite bows were a powerful weapon of the Chinese army. This is a very good quality Chinese bow, one of the best Chinese bows that I have ever seen.
REFERENCES:
This bow is like the bow belonging to the Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong preserved in the Imperial Forbidden City Palace Museum Beijing collection and published in the book 清宫武备 Royal and Imperial arms and armour kept in Forbidden City Palace Museum. Page 107. Number 104.
Please see the last photo in the listing.
The buyer will be provided with a copy of the pages from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.
CONDITION: The bow is in good condition considering its age to be over 300 years old. Free of repairs or restoration. Showing the age and wear from usage, with some chips, splits and flecks one of the horn nocks missing.
The bow is listed with 18 pictures showing different bow parts, so please view all these pictures since the pictures in the listing are part of the description of the condition of the object.
MEASUREMENTS
Overall length: from nock to nock: 104 cm (40.94 inches).
Height: 34.5 cm (13.58 inches).
To see all 18 pictures of the bow please see the link below:
https://www.antiquesword101.com/Islamic-Oriental-Arms-and-Armor.php#!/Antique-18th-Century-Chinese-Qing-Dynasty-Imperial-Military-Archer-Composite-Bow-Made-by-%E6%AD%A3%E5%85%83-Zhengyuan/p/655045088/category=3736928
