Gothic Shaffron (horse's head armor)

Culture Southern German , or

Culture Austrian , perhaps Mühlau

Date1475–1490

Mediumsteel with leather fragments

Dimensions49.7 × 24.9 cm (19 9/16 × 9 13/16 in.), 1 lb, 12 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsWhite-painted number "118" on inner face, near right ear opening. Faint traces of what may be stamped marks above rivets centered to either side of medial ridge at nose.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.87

DescriptionOf one plate of light steel, of shallow depth, extending full length of horse's head. The openings for ears are deeply arched, and not fitted for ear-plates as edges here are finished with outward turns like those of occularia and nose. Occularia are scooped and slightly flanged, with edges turned over wire core. Lower half of shaffron embossed with medial ridge rising to arch near mid-length, and extending to end of pointed upturned nose. At upper terminal of ridge is fitted restored, floral escutcheon-plate with spike. Below is radiating grouping of six embossed flutes. Following the shaffron's perimeter is a row of flush lining-rivets with circular internal heads. Some of these retain fragments of leather lining strap. Four modern, domed rivets with floral rosettes and fragments of modern leathers indicate where replacement mounting straps were later fitted. Upper set secured with thin octagonal washers on inside. At inner rear edge, where poll-plate should be fitted is rounded tongue of leather with four rivets. This in turn riveted to shaffron with two modern, domed rivets. Leather appears to have been cut off long ago, flush with the rear edge of shaffron.
Label TextAs in many of the cultures of Eurasia and Africa, the military elite of medieval Europe were mounted: the word for “knight” in almost every European language actually means “horseman.” A well trained warhorse was expensive, and a knight’s steed often wore at least a head protector, and sometimes additional armor for the neck and body.ProvenanceEstate of Dr. Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY); purchased by Museum from Parke-Bernet Galleries (NYC), on 26 October 1950,sale no. 1186, as part of lot 124. Price paid for lot. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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