Items Similar to Renaissance Hunting Cranequin, Dated 1589 — With Maker’s Mark in Shield
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12
Renaissance Hunting Cranequin, Dated 1589 — With Maker’s Mark in Shield
$10,482.23
£7,940.53
€9,000
CA$14,521.71
A$16,287.07
CHF 8,529.28
MX$197,903.73
NOK 108,307.62
SEK 102,683.26
DKK 68,523.90
About the Item
Renaissance Hunting Cranequin, Dated 1589 — With Maker’s Mark in Shield
Origin: Southern Germany or Flanders
Date: 1589 (engraved)
Material: Forged iron, turned hardwood handle
Length: 30 cm without swinging arm
Markings: Deeply struck maker’s mark featuring a running animal (likely a fox) in a heraldic shield
Inventory tag: Old brass collection tag numbered “447”
Description:
A rare and fully intact Renaissance-era cranequin (crémaillère), finely crafted for tensioning large hunting crossbows. This elegant mechanical windlass exemplifies the sophisticated engineering and artistry of late 16th-century Germanic or Flemish workshops.
The device features a central circular gear housing, driving a well-forged toothed rack terminating in finely sculpted double-hooked claws. A long crank arm with a gracefully forged shaft turns the gear, and is mounted with its original turned hardwood handle, decorated with delicate grooves and a ringed mid-band. The patina and age of the wood suggest it has remained untouched since the late 1500s.
Stamped on the housing is a maker’s hallmark in the form of a heraldic shield, containing the image of a running animal, most likely a fox — a symbol often associated with cunning, hunting, or used as a personal emblem by 16th-century craftsmen. The mark is deeply struck, original to the forging process, and not added later — indicating this was the identifier of the original artisan or workshop.
At the claw end of the rack is a clear period-engraved date: “1589”, further confirming the piece's authenticity and age. The style of the numerals, including decorative punched dots, corresponds to known workshop practices of the late Renaissance period.
Attached to the handle by wire is a small numbered brass tag ("447"), likely from a private or institutional collection. This detail suggests the piece was cataloged in a former museum or serious private arms collection, though the issuing source remains unverified.
Significance:
This cranequin is not of military origin but was almost certainly crafted for aristocratic or noble hunting purposes. The high-quality workmanship, refined aesthetic, and personalized mark all point to a custom-made tool for elite field use, rather than mass military production.
Cranequins of this type, especially dated and marked examples in untouched condition, are increasingly rare on the market and are highly sought after by collectors of antique arms, mechanical devices, and Renaissance hunting gear.
Condition:
Mechanism complete and operational
Handle original, stable, with aged but sound wood
Metal with uniform patina; light pitting and surface marks consistent with age
No modern restoration or repair observed
Maker’s mark and date clearly legible
Retains old brass inventory tag "447"
Comparable Examples:
Similar cranequins with heraldic hallmarks and original handles are preserved in:
The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
The Royal Armouries, Leeds
The Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg
- Dimensions:Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Width: 3.35 in (8.5 cm)Depth: 5.32 in (13.5 cm)
- Style:Renaissance (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Wrought Iron,Forged
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1589
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. normal age traces.
- Seller Location:Bilzen, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10361246086742
About the Seller
New to 1stDibs
Joined in the past six months.
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1987
1stDibs seller since 2025
8 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Bilzen, Belgium
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All17th Century Dutch Bronze pharmacy Mortar, dated 1632
Located in Bilzen, BE
17th century Dutch bronze mortar, dated 1632 and with border text "lof God van al anno 1632".
Height 12.5 cm, Diameter 14 cm
Category
Antique 1630s Dutch Renaissance Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Pewter Plate With Important Coat Of Arms, dated 1721
Located in Bilzen, BE
18th century pewter plate dated 1721 and engraved with an important coat of arms.
Makers marks on the back
Diameter, 23.8 x 23.7 cm.
Category
Antique 1720s Belgian Louis XV Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Pewter
D. Ioannis Chrysostomi Archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani 1556
Located in Bilzen, BE
D. Ioannis Chrysostomi archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani Enarrationes in divi Pauli epistolas, ad Timotheum II., Titum, Philemonem, & HebræosD.IOANNIS CHRYSOSTOMI ARCHEPISCOPI CONSTA...
Category
Antique 16th Century Belgian Renaissance Books
Materials
Paper
Dutch Missal With Silver Mount, 1843
Located in Bilzen, BE
Dutch missal with solid silver mount, 1843 Gulpen, printed in Dutch
9.8 x 15.2 cm, thickness 4.2 cm
Category
Antique 1840s Dutch Baroque Religious Items
Materials
Silver
Antique long Pipe (38 Cm) Carved In Wood In Its Case, 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Avery long pipe (38 cm) carved in wood in its case, 19th century
The pipe is entirely decorated with oak leaves and acorns
Nice aged patina
Horn stem
Category
Antique 19th Century French Other Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Horn, Wood
Cigar Case Carved In Wood, 19th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Cigar case, 19th century, finely carved from a single piece of wood
Aged patina
14 x 7cm
Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Wood
You May Also Like
Vintage Tesla Telephone Set With Original Maker’s Mark, 1960s
By Tesla
Located in Zohor, SK
This elegant vintage telephone set by Tesla showcases the original maker’s stamp on the underside, confirming its authenticity. Its streamlined curves and timeless design reflect mid...
Category
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Scientific Instruments
Materials
Bakelite
14KT White Gold and Diamonds Ring, Stamped "14KT" and with a Maker's Mark
Located in Warrenton, OR
14KT White Gold and Diamonds Ring, Stamped "14KT" and with a Maker's Mark next to that.
This is a very pretty two-layer/stacked starburst design with what appear to be diamonds in th...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
Materials
Gold
$304 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ram's Horn Cabinet Maker's Wood Scraper c.1905
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Antique wood and steel ram's horn cabinet maker's wood scraper.
CREATOR E.C. Atkins & Co.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1905-1910.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Steel, Boxw...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments
Materials
Steel
English Renaissance Style Novelty Shield
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance style (20th Century) miniature shield shaped coat of arms wall plaque with metal spears and armor on brown velvet backing.
Category
20th Century Renaissance Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Metal
Antique Cabinet Maker's Drawing Book, Thomas Sheraton, English, Georgian, C.1812
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique copy of the Cabinet Maker's Drawing Book by Thomas Sheraton. An English, bound reference guide, dating to the Georgian period, published 1793.
Highly influential ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Books
Materials
Paper
Pewter in America, Its Makers and Their Marks, Three Volumes in One
By Ledlie Irwin Laughlin
Located in valatie, NY
Pewter in America, Its makers and their marks, three volumes in one by Ledlie Irwin Laughlin, New York: American Legacy Press, 1981. First edition hardcover with dust jacket. 276 pp....
Category
20th Century American Books
Materials
Paper
