November 7-8, 2018 Edged Weapons, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/7/2018
This horse armor is probably German or English. A note that accompanies it is signed "H.I. Gilchrist". The note states that this piece is make of iron and bronze and is of the period. Bits of this type were made more for fashion and use in war-like games than for war. It states that this bit was in the John L. Severance collection and was gathered in Europe by Frank Gair Mocomber shortly after the turn of the 18th century. This is one of the only few examples in the United States that is not found in a major museum. This fine example is one that was not donated to the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. In all, there are 598 pieces that were given to the museum from the Severance Foundation. CONDITION: This horse bit from hand forged iron and bronze is in very good condition and retains a heavy brown patina and bronze retains a dark unpolished patina. Also included is the Cleveland Museum of Art's handbook of the Severance Collection of arms and armor. A very similar example is shown in illustration 29 on page 49, showing another horse bit dating from the 16th century; the style and construction are nearly identical.