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Saddle

ca. 1400–1420
On view at The Met Cloisters in Gallery 02
This is one of about twenty known Medieval saddles decorated with bone plaques. The saddles vary somewhat in decoration, but certain motifs are common throughout. For instance, Saint George, standing over the defeated dragon, appears with elegant couples on most of the saddles. Used in parade, they were probably more ceremonial than utilitarian.

The bone plaques used to create the saddle, probably from the pelvic bones of large animals such as cows, are attached to the core with bone pins and glue. The underside is lined with hide and birch bark.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Saddle
  • Date: ca. 1400–1420
  • Geography: Made in Bohemia, Central Europe
  • Culture: Central European
  • Medium: Bovine bone (body of saddle), deer antler and bone (decorative elements), limewood, rawhide, birchbark, and metal paint
  • Dimensions: Overall ((a) Saddle): 13 5/16 × 20 1/2 × 13 5/8 in. (33.8 × 52.1 × 34.6 cm)
    Overall (b-blanket): 30 7/8 × 27 1/4 in. (78.4 × 69.2 cm)
  • Classification: Ivories-Bone
  • Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1940
  • Object Number: 40.66a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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