Bit Boss or Ornamental Plaquette

late 16th–17th century

Not on view

This circular plaquette, cast in iron, is adorned with a lion’s head circled by a vegetal garland. It would have decorated the sides of a horse bit or other small object, like a powder flask or a pistol.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Bit Boss or Ornamental Plaquette
Date: late 16th–17th century
Culture: possibly German
Medium: Iron
Dimensions: Diam. 2 3/8 in. (6 cm); Wt. 1.7 oz. (49 g).
Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Bits
Credit Line: Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
Object Number: 42.50.200
Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

More Artwork

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Hand-and-a-Half Sword, Steel, copper alloy, probably German — Hand-and-a-Half Sword
probably German
ca. 1400–1430

Rapier of Prince-Elector Christian II of Saxony (1583–1611), Israel Schuech German, Steel, bronze, gold, enamel, paste jewels, cameos, pearls, wood, hilt, German, Dresden; blade, Spanish, Toledo — Rapier of Prince-Elector Christian II of Saxony (1583–1611)
Israel Schuech
Juan Martinez
dated 1606

Helm for the Joust of Peace (<i>Stechhelm</i>), Steel, copper alloy, German, probably Nuremberg — Helm for the Joust of Peace (*Stechhelm*)
German, probably Nuremberg
ca. 1500

Armor of Emperor Ferdinand I (1503–1564), Kunz Lochner German, Steel, brass, leather, German, Nuremberg — Armor of Emperor Ferdinand I (1503–1564)
Kunz Lochner
dated 1549

Portions of a Costume Armor, Kolman Helmschmid German, Steel, copper alloy, gold, German, Augsburg — Portions of a Costume Armor
Kolman Helmschmid
ca. 1525

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.