Curb Bit

Unknown

late 17th century · Iron alloy · Arms and Armor

This mouthpiece was designed for a horse with a regular good mouth and a very thick tongue. The severe curb chain, with its serrated links, was used on horses with ‘hard chins’ (too fleshy or too hairy). This kind of bit, with its engraved, pierced and chiseled ornamentation, is a very common type of German 17th-century bit, found in many collections. They might have been pre-made generic bits, mounted with mouthpieces and shanks of regular strength suitable for most horses.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 17th century

Medium

Iron alloy

Culture

German

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913