Cleveland Museum of Art

Curb Bit

Date

c. 1580–1600

Medium

iron with gilt bronze bosses

Culture

Italy, late 16th Century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

A well-constructed curb bit was an essential piece of equipment for keeping a powerful battle stallion under control. Like other horse trappings, bits were often elegantly fashioned and ornamented. This example has applied and gilded bosses. A curb bit uses lever action, meaning that it multiplies the pressure applied by the rider.

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