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Four Harness Fittings
Tibetan, 15th–17th century
Iron, gold, leather, copper
L. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm) to 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase,
Kenneth and Vivian Lam Gift, 2002 (2002.17.4, .7, .10, .16)
cat. no. 133

Harness fittings of this type were used to decorate the leather straps of high-quality horse tack and would have been used in conjunction with saddles and bridles such as those displayed nearby. These are good examples of fine Tibetan ironwork and relate not only to equestrian equipment but also to the best sword fittings and damascened iron ritual objects.

all text & images © Metropolitan Museum of Art


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