Small Crossbow (Balestrino)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Small Crossbow (Balestrino) by an unknown artist is a metal device with a long, narrow body and a curved piece of metal attached to the bottom. The device has a small cylindrical protrusion on the right side and a decorative piece at the end on the left. It is made of metal, likely steel or iron, and has a dark gray color with visible signs of wear and aging. There are two small metal loops on top near the front and a larger loop on the right side near the back. The device rests on two small feet and has a curved metal piece extending from the bottom. The background of the image is white with a slight shadow underneath the device. The overall shape is long and thin, with various protrusions and decorative elements.