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Bronze horse bit

ca. 725–700 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 170
Solid cast, with twisted mouthpiece terminating in heavy rings that orgianlly held the guide reins. The ends are flanked with open work cheek pieces depicting stylized horses with a smaller horse standing on its croup and two small birds below.

An almost identical horse bit was discovered recently in the Tomb of the Warrior of Poggio alle Croci in Volterra. Several examples of this type, with elaborate cheekpieces depicting horses and ducks, are associated with Volterra, a likely place of manufacture.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bronze horse bit
  • Period: Late Geometric
  • Date: ca. 725–700 BCE
  • Culture: Late Villanovan
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: width 8 3/16in. (20.8cm)
  • Classification: Bronzes
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Alice K. Bache, 1977
  • Object Number: 1977.187.6
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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