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LOT 1256
Ornate Inlaid and Engraved German Sporting Crossbow - This crossbow is being de-accessioned from the famed George F. Harding
Jr. Collection at the Art Institute of Chicago (reference number 1982.2185) and was noted as a German sporting crossbow from the 19th
century in the style of the 17th century. The decoration consists of extensive staghorn inlays engraved with various designs, including many
dogs. It measures 27 3/4 inches across from the tips of the limbs and 27 inches long.
CONDITION: Fine with dark brown patina on the iron, varying aged patina on the inlays, some minor separation of some of the inlays and
some absent, distinct engraving, and mild age and storage related wear.
Provenance: The George F. Harding Jr. Collection; The Art Institute of Chicago.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1255
Ornate Chiseled, Inlaid and Engraved German Wheellock Youth Rifle - NSN, 54 cal., 22 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, fruitwood stock. This
fascinating youth rifle is being de-accessioned from the famed George F. Harding Jr. Collection at the Art Institute of Chicago (reference number:
1982.2867) and is noted as featuring a late 16th century German barrel, c. 1600 German stock, and c. 1620 Italian wheellock likely from Brescia. The
seven-groove rifled barrel features a dovetailed blade front sight at the muzzle, a dovetailed notch rear sight, and extensive relief chiseled designs
including five figures, four birds, and foliate scrollwork and has an “HH” maker’s mark at the breech. It is stocked in fruitwood with staghorn and ivory
inlays featuring fine engraving, including a musician on the ramrod entry plate, foliate designs, a landscape on the left stock flat, stag, masks, and
male figure on the patchbox lid.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally restored with silver-gray patina on the lock and barrel, distinct chiseled designs along the barrel, generally distinct
engraving on the inlays, a few inlays carefully replaced, some splices in the wood, and mild wear. The lock was not tested. The set triggers function.
Provenance: The George F. Harding Jr. Collection; The Art Institute of Chicago.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000