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Head defense for a horse (shaffron), 15th–17th century
Tibetan or Mongolian
Iron, leather, and brass or copper alloy; H. 21 in. (53.3 cm), W. 23 in. (58.4 cm)
Purchase, The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, by exchange; Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, by exchange; Fletcher Fund, by exchange, 1997 (1997.242d)

This shaffron is an excellent example of what appears to be a standard form, consisting mainly of a leather ground covered with small square iron plates, which are sewn to the ground by leather laces threaded through a single hole and a small boss at the corner of each plate. Shaped iron plates are laced down the center and at each cheek. The leaf-shaped finial of the vertical rib attached to the central iron panel is very similar to those found on Tibetan cane shields, leather arm defenses, and leather boxes.


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    Head defense for a horse (shaffron), 15th–17th century
    Tibetan or Mongolian
    Iron, leather, and brass or copper alloy; H. 21 in. (53.3 cm), W. 23 in. (58.4 cm)
    Purchase, The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, by exchange; Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, by exchange; Fletcher Fund, by exchange, 1997 (1997.242d)