Cleveland Museum of Art

Demi-Chanfron

Date

c. 1550

Medium

steel, etched and gilded; leather

Culture

Germany, Augsburg, 16th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The chanfron, head defense for a horse, was introduced in the 1300s. It included two side pieces to protect the cheeks. In the 16th and 17th centuries, when armor failed to protect against firearms, it assumed greater importance as ornament. For this reason the demi (or half) chanfron covered the forehead of the horse but extended, like this one, only halfway down the nose. The Habsburg Spanish Court was served by the armorers of Augsburg in the 16th century. This impressively decorated piece, by tradition, is said to have once belonged to Philip II of Spain (1527–1598). A knight depended on his horse as both a weapon and a means of defense, and thus went to great lengths to care for and protect his charger.

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