Light Crossbow (Schnepper) from the Armory of Sedlitz Palace 1733

"Light Crossbow (Schnepper)" from the Armory of Sedlitz Palace, created in 1733 by Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder, is a stunning example of intricate craftsmanship. The crossbow is adorned with elegant silver inlays, showcasing scrolling foliage and a hunting scene. This piece, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was likely made for sport rather than warfare, reflecting the growing popularity of hunting and leisure activities among the nobility of the time.