Detail View: The AMICA Library: Three-Piece Bit
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AMICA ID:
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DMA_.1974.75
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AMICA Library Year:
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2003
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Object Type:
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Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
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Creator Nationality:
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Iran, Luristan
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Creator Name-CRT:
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Iran, Luristan
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Title:
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Three-Piece Bit
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View:
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Full View
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Creation Date:
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800-600 B.C.
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Creation Start Date:
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-800
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Creation End Date:
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-600
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Materials and Techniques:
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Bronze
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Dimensions:
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Overall: 4 13/32 x 9 1/32 x 5 3/32 in. (11.2 x 22.9 x 12.9 cm.)
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AMICA Contributor:
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Dallas Museum of Art
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Owner Location:
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Dallas, Texas, USA
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ID Number:
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1974.75
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Credit Line:
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Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leigh B. Block
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Rights:
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Context:
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The Dallas Museum of Art's Luristanian horse bit makes an interesting comparison with the more elaborate Villanovan horse bit in the Museum collections. The Near Eastern bit combines cast cheek pieces (probably from the same bivalve mold) and a cold-worked bar, one end of which spirals up and the other down. The imaginary animal ornamentation is fairly restrained in comparison with other horse trappings from Luristan. There are monster heads facing each other on the monster's tails, which form the lower rim. In bits like these, the crossbar fitted in the horse's mouth and was controlled by the cheek pieces. The bit reins were attached to the rings at the bottom of the cheek pieces. There is still no agreement as to whether these elaborate kinds of bronze horse trappings were designed for burials or were used in life and buried with the dead person. Some do appear to have wear on the bar piece. Both men and women were buried with horse trappings, which indicates the vital role that riding and driving played in ancient Iran. If these people were not actually nomads, the free life of horse riders on the Iranian plateau clearly defined much of their culture."Gods, Men, and Heroes," page 36
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Related Image Identifier Link:
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DMA_.1974_75.tif
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