Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense)

Unknown

15th–17th century · Iron, leather, brass or copper alloy · Arms and Armor

This shaffron is an excellent example of what appears to be a standard form, consisting mainly of a leather ground covered with small square iron plates, which are sewn to the ground by leather laces threaded through a single hole and a small boss at the corner of each plate. Shaped iron plates are laced down the center and at each cheek. The leaf-shaped finial of the vertical rib attached to the central iron panel is very similar to those found on Tibetan cane shields, leather arm defenses, and leather boxes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th–17th century

Medium

Iron, leather, brass or copper alloy

Culture

Tibetan or Mongolian

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Purchase, The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, by exchange; Bashford Dean Memorial Collection, Funds from various donors, by exchange; and Fletcher Fund, by exhange, 1997