This saddle is remarkable for the quality and extent of its pierced and chiseled decoration, particularly the figural masks worked in low relief in the center of the pommel and cantle plates, which are more artistically accomplished and on a larger scale than virtually any other known example of low-relief ironwork from Tibet or China. The chiseling of the scrollwork is equal to that found on other high-quality Tibetan iron objects, such as the finest saddles, bridles, sword fittings, censers, and cup cases.

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