Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense)

This shaffron is extraordinarily rare both for being one of only a few known examples of Central Asian textile shaffrons (see also 2016.170) and for the fact that it is a largely intact and complete textile object from a region and period when textile fragments are the norm. The weaving technique and the motifs suggest that the silk was made in Central Asia, inspired by Chinese fabric that was known via commerce on the Silk Road.
A ceremonial shaffron (horse's head covering), made of silk, for a small pony. The shaffron has two circular openings for the eyes, a poll piece in the form of a semicircular extension at the center top, and two large v-shaped notches to accommodate the nostrils along the bottom edge. A series of nine rounded tabs extend from the outer edge of the poll piece; a white feather remains attached to one tab. There is a pleated ruff or trim along both side edges. There are applied crescent-shaped pieces above the eyes and nostrils and three small cone-shaped silk pendants along the bottom edge, one in the center of the snout and one at the point of each nostril. The main textile has a green ground and a repeating pattern of narrow vertical bands bearing stylized floral, animal, and geometric designs. This is edged all around with a thick border decorated with closely set narrow bands filled with stylized motifs in purple, tan and black. The crescent appliqués over the eyes and nostrils are covered on the top by the same fabric as the main textile and lined with red silk on their undersides. The tabs extending from the poll piece are covered on the front with tie-dyed fabric with a pattern of purple dots on a red ground and on the back with unpatterned blue silk. The pleated ruff is dark purple, off-white, and green. The back or lining of the main section is unpatterned reddish brown. There are laces or ties on the back consisting of a pair of blue ties above the eyes and at the base of the poll piece; two off-white ties, one on either edge at the height of the eyes; and one off-white tie (with the remains of the corresponding tie knotted to it) attached to the lower proper right edge. The interior is stuffed with a felted animal fiber that may have been intended to serve as padding or insulation.