Some pictures of composite bows from the web(url)

The photo in http://hindunet.org/saraswati/kaman.jpg is from the George Stone book, A Glossary of Arms and Armor..., which was published in the first half of the 20th century. While there is much of interest in it, recent research has overturned some of the ideas expressed by the author. Looking at the other photos from that web site, they all seem to come from Stone.

There are many recycled photographs on the net that are neither acknowledged nor set in their context.

TradArcher · Post by **TradArcher** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:47 pm

Found on Herman Historica auction portal:

"A large Ottoman reflex bow, circa 1700. A strong bow of horn and sinew, with hardwood nocks. The entire surface has a fine covering of birch bark and is lavishly painted with geometric decoration and fine floral ornamentation in several colours. Colour finish worn, defects. Length 115 cm."

Best
Janek

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:15 am

Janek,
This looks like a small Sind bow, though it could be Persian. The limbs are completely covered and the angles of the parts of the siyahs and grip suggest Sind as the origin. They are interesting a rare bows. Any collection would benefit from one.

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:04 am

I agree that this is probably a Sind bow of India, maybe not as old as expected. It was most likely left strung for a hundred years as a display. The usual shape reflexes dramatically from the grip.

Unusual shaping because of being strung a long time is often seen in burial bows.

I once saw a collection of Indo-Persian material. One arrow had a small nail hole which had split the bamboo shaft. I was told that the entire collection had come from a hotel in China where it had been displayed on the walls for one hundred years. The purchaser had bought the collection for the guns and sold the archery items (after storing them for another 40 years). No wonder the fletches were mostly missing.

Some members might own items of this collection, which were sold on ebay. -j-

TradArcher · Post by **TradArcher** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:14 am

I completly agree with you and Im sure that it was strung for decades. My first impression was that it should look like this

All the best from Warsaw
Janek

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:04 pm

Janek; Thats it! well done.

Did you see the price? This is another attribute of auctions. By stating that it is a Turkish bow it is elevated to a complete other price range. If you look around the site you will probably find a disclaimer that the label on the catalog is not a guarantee of authenticity. When buying antiquities there are certificates of authenticity and appraisals. Neighter is any good without the other.

In fact it is a bit crazy buying such an item without knowing all about such things.

Caveat emptor. -j-

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:37 am

I have seen Sind bows end up looking that way from use. They reflex again if left belly up in the sun. However, it is just as likely that the curvature comes from being left strung on a wall somewhere as suggested.

Some pictures of composite bows from the web(url)

chinese bow

a turkish bow

chinese bow + mughal arrows

turkish bow (looks indian to me....)