Bit Boss with Hercules Fighting the Monster Cacus

Unknown

second half 16th century · Copper alloy, gold · Arms and Armor

The central part of this bit boss is adorned with a scene depicting Hercules fighting the monster Cacus, represented as a centaur with a half-lion - half-deer body, a shield and a sword at their feet. This scene is directly inspired by a rectangular plaquette designed by Moderno (Galeazzo Mondella), ca. 1507. German bronze founders would regularly use Italian medals or plaquettes as models for their works, including bosses, like this one, which decorated the sides of horse bits. They also produced similar decorative elements for powder flasks, staff weapons or even pistols. This scene seems to have been a common design for bit bosses and plaquettes made in Southern Germany in the second half of the 16th century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

second half 16th century

Medium

Copper alloy, gold

Culture

South German, possibly Augsburg

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942