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Bit and Bridle

15th–17th century
Not on view
This superb bridle is one of the most complete and complex examples known. It is decorated with an elaborate series of pierced and chiseled iron fittings damascened in gold. To add to the appearance of depth, behind much of the pierced scrollwork there is a secondary ground, which is made of a shaped plate of dark iron damascened in gold with wave patterns.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bit and Bridle
  • Date: 15th–17th century
  • Culture: Tibetan
  • Medium: Leather, iron, gold
  • Dimensions: H. 21 in. (53.3 cm); W. 19 in. (48.3 cm)
  • Classification: Equestrian Equipment
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, by exchange, 1998
  • Object Number: 1998.282
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Pair of Stirrups (<i>yob</i>), Iron, gold, silver, Tibetan or Mongolian
Pair of Stirrups (yob)
Tibetan or Mongolian
possibly 12th–14th century
Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense), Iron, leather, gold, silver, brass or copper alloy, textile, Tibetan or Mongolian
Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense)
Tibetan or Mongolian
late 15th–early 17th century
Sword (Ral gri), Iron, steel, gold, silver, Tibetan or Chinese
Sword (Ral gri)
Tibetan or Chinese
14th–16th century
Saddle, Saddle Pad, Stirrups, Rein, Stirrup Straps, Bit and Bridle, Breaststrap, Tassel, and Crupper, Iron, gold, copper, turquoise, wood (fruitwood), leather (buckskin, doeskin), linen, silk, wool, hair (yak), Tibetan
Saddle, Saddle Pad, Stirrups, Rein, Stirrup Straps, Bit and Bridle, Breaststrap, Tassel, and Crupper
Tibetan
18th–19th century
Equestrian Equipment Made for Yuthok Tashi Dundrup (g.yu thog bkra shis don grub, 1906–1983), Copper alloy, iron, gold, turquoise, wood, leather, textile, Tibetan, Derge
Equestrian Equipment Made for Yuthok Tashi Dundrup (g.yu thog bkra shis don grub, 1906–1983)
Tibetan, Derge
ca. 1943–47

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