Curb Bit
bit, West European; bosses, Italian
Not on view
According to contemporary equestrian manuals, this was a regular gentle bit. The shanks are called ‘weak’, which means that the swivel rein ring’s hole is placed behind the axis of the banquet (piece to which the mouthpiece is attached). Weak shanks were used on horses lowering their head and nose too much.
The bosses, which are later additions, are older. Their decoration imitates traditional Venetian filigree.
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