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Source Description
This fine and rare set of horse trappings is decorated with stones in beaded settings- a style Hunnish metalworkers favored.The large piece is a chamfron, which was worn on the horse's head above the eyes. This one is ornamental rather than defensive and indicated the wealth and power of the horse's owner.The two thin strips are bridle mounts, which probably covered the bridle or reins near the horse's head, where they would be best displayed.The gold tube is the handle of a Hunnish whip, called a "nagaika." The open end held the leather of the whip, which would be secured in place by the bronze rivet. The Huns had no spurs and instead used these whips to urge their horses to run.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
77447
label
Set of Horse Trappings
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
https://purl.thewalters.org/art/VO.74 (57.1050, 57.1051, 57.1052, 57.1060)
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
77447
sourceUrl
https://purl.thewalters.org/art/VO.74 (57.1050, 57.1051, 57.1052, 57.1060)
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Set of Horse Trappings
description
This fine and rare set of horse trappings is decorated with stones in beaded settings- a style Hunnish metalworkers favored.The large piece is a chamfron, which was worn on the horse's head above the eyes. This one is ornamental rather than defensive and indicated the wealth and power of the horse's owner.The two thin strips are bridle mounts, which probably covered the bridle or reins near the horse's head, where they would be best displayed.The gold tube is the handle of a Hunnish whip, called a "nagaika." The open end held the leather of the whip, which would be secured in place by the bronze rivet. The Huns had no spurs and instead used these whips to urge their horses to run.
provenance
A. Seligmann, Rey and Co., New York [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1929, by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
date
4th-5th century (Early Medieval)
citationUrl
https://purl.thewalters.org/art/VO.74 (57.1050, 57.1051, 57.1052, 57.1060)
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
Metal
shaffrons
whips
bridles
imageCount
1
pageCount
1
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
12.5
height
10.6
depth
1
dimensionsRaw
H: 4 7/8 x W: 4 3/16 x D: 3/8 in. (12.5 x 10.6 x 1 cm)
Source extras
cul
Hunnish
med
gold, copper, bronze, and gemstones
creator_ids
7310
collection_ids
MED
exhibition_ids
none
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
b7a504653f38d83e