Bridle, 15th–17th century
Tibetan
Leather, iron, and gold
Technical Glossary
Tibetan
Leather, iron, and gold
H. 21 in. (53.3 cm), W. 19 in. (48.3 cm)
Purchase, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, by exchange, 1998 (1998.282)
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.
