This shaffron is an excellent example of what appears to be a standard form, consisting mainly of a leather ground covered with small square iron plates, which are sewn to the ground by leather laces threaded through a single hole and a small boss at the corner of each plate. Shaped iron plates are laced down the center and at each cheek. The leaf-shaped finial of the vertical rib attached to the central iron panel is very similar to those found on Tibetan cane shields, leather arm defenses, and leather boxes.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
Open Access
As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.
API
Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
Artwork Details
Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item
Title:Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense)
Date:15th–17th century
Culture:Tibetan or Mongolian
Medium:Iron, leather, brass or copper alloy
Dimensions:H. 21 in. (53.3 cm); W. 20 1/4 in. (51.4 cm); Wt. 6 lb. 13.2 oz. (3095.8 g)
Classification:Equestrian Equipment-Shaffrons
Credit Line:Purchase, The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, by exchange; Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, by exchange; and Fletcher Fund, by exhange, 1997
Object Number:1997.242d
[Art dealer, London, until 1997; sold to MMA].
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Arms and Armor: Notable Acquisitions 1991–2002," September 4, 2002–January 18, 2004, no. 47.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Warriors of the Himalayas: Rediscovering the Arms and Armor of Tibet," April 5–July 4, 2006, no. 28.
Lhasa and its Mysteries : with a Record of the Expedition of 1903-1904. New York, 1906. plate facing p. 168 for hourse armor as worn in 1904.
Stone, George Cameron. A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times, Together with Some Closely Related Subjects. Portland, ME: Southworth Press, 1934. p. 98, fig. 125 (related horse armors).
Stone, George Cameron. A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times, Together with Some Closely Related Subjects. New York: Jack Brussel, Pub., 1961. p. 98, fig. 125 (related horse armors).
Stone, George Cameron, and Donald J. La Rocca. A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times, Together with Some Closely Related Subjects. Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications, 1999. p. 98, fig. 125 (related horse armors).
Robinson, H. Russell. Oriental Armour. London: Jenkins, 1967. pl. XXVI (related horse armor).
Pyhrr, Stuart W., Donald J. La Rocca, and Morihiro Ogawa. Arms and Armor: Notable Acquisitions, 1991–2002. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2002. p. 50, no. 47, ill.
La Rocca, Donald J. Warriors of the Himalayas: Rediscovering the Arms and Armor of Tibet. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006. pp. 8, 96, 100, 102–103, 140, no. 28, ill.
La Rocca, Donald J. "The Remains of a Rare Tibetan Shaffron." In Arms and Armour: History, Conservation and Analysis. London: Archetype Publications, 2021. pp. 83–5, 88, figs. 3, 4, n. 14.
La Rocca, Donald J. "The Remains of a Rare Tibetan Shaffron." La Lettre du Club International d'Eperonnerie (April 2023), pp. 75–9, figs. 3, 4, n. 14.
La Rocca, Donald J. "Les Restes d'un Rare Chafrein Tibétain." La Lettre du Club International d'Eperonnerie (April 2023), pp. 68–70, figs. 3, 4.
The Met's Libraries and Research Centers provide unparalleled resources for research and welcome an international community of students and scholars.
The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
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.