Ear Plate of a Shaffron (horse's head armor)

Cultureprobably Southern German , perhaps Augsburg

Datemid 1500s

Mediumetched and blackened steel

Dimensions5 × 14 cm (1 15/16 × 5 1/2 in.), 2 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.929

DescriptionSteel. Greatly reduced condition. For left ear of shaffron. Long, & tightly curved along its axis, with narrow, curving flange for riveting to shaffron mainplate. Ear edge is hollow-flanged & plain. It is followed by broad, etched & blackened band. This consists of pair of etched bands of vine-like foliation linked at intervals, on finely stippled & blackened ground, within pair of narrow, bright fillets. At broad intervals bands are linked by short sections of similar bands. See digital file for a photo of the decoration.
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.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on September 28, 1929 from estate of Bashford Dean (Riverdale, NY), his no. 117ab. Given to the Museum on July 1, 1947. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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