Curb Bit
The mouthpiece of this bit, composed of scatches (flattened canons) with a gooseneck port, was intended for a horse with a good mouth and a thick tongue, but which leans too much on the bit. The scatches also disarm the lips (moving them aside from the gums) without pressing them too much.
In contemporary equestrian manuals, these shanks are called à la gigotte, which means that the swivel ring’s hole is aligned (‘on the line’) with the axis of the banquet (piece to which the mouthpiece is attached), but the shank’s knee projects forwards. They were used on horses with ‘a natural beautiful position but with week loins or being weary to hold it.’
The pierced decoration of the bit and its bosses, giving a lace-like aspect to the metal, is typical of the decoration used by the spur makers in the South East of Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite their name, spur makers not only made spurs, but also all other small equestrian hardware like bits, stirrups, muzzles, cavessons or curry-combs, sometimes adorned with the same intricate decoration.
In contemporary equestrian manuals, these shanks are called à la gigotte, which means that the swivel ring’s hole is aligned (‘on the line’) with the axis of the banquet (piece to which the mouthpiece is attached), but the shank’s knee projects forwards. They were used on horses with ‘a natural beautiful position but with week loins or being weary to hold it.’
The pierced decoration of the bit and its bosses, giving a lace-like aspect to the metal, is typical of the decoration used by the spur makers in the South East of Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite their name, spur makers not only made spurs, but also all other small equestrian hardware like bits, stirrups, muzzles, cavessons or curry-combs, sometimes adorned with the same intricate decoration.
Artwork Details
- Title: Curb Bit
- Date: 17th century
- Culture: South German
- Medium: Iron alloy, copper alloy, gold
- Dimensions: H. 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm); W. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 11.9 oz. (791 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Bits
- Credit Line: Gift of Christian A. Zabriskie, 1937
- Object Number: 37.189.11
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Hilt by Israel Schuech (German, Dresden, active ca. 1590–1610)
dated 1606
Blade signed by Clemens Horn (German, Solingen, 1580–1630)
1600–1625
Grip attributed to Joseph Deutschmann (German, Imst 1717–1787 Passau)
ca. 1740
Signature probably refers to Jean Drouart (French, Paris, died before October 1715)
dated 1712
Crossbow by Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder (German, Dresden 1696–1778)
dated 1742
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
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 contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.