Curb Bit

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

According to contemporary equestrian manuals, this mouthpiece was designed for exercising the tongue and preventing it from relaxing completely, with the purpose of making the horse salivate. The melons, the big ribbed rolling balls, also ‘disarm’ the lips (they remove the thick lips from the bars, the part of the horses’ jaw without teeth, so that the mouthpiece can keep contact with them). The banquets, the parts of the cheekpieces where the mouthpiece is attached, can be opened to switch out the mouthpiece, a feature particularly appreciated on dressage bits in Germany. The two rectangular loops on each side of the bit were used to attach, by the mean of spring pins, a pair of ornamental bosses. As for the two rein rings at the bottom of each shanks, the lower one served to attach the main leather reins, while the upper ones used to hang a pair of chain reins (used as a backup if the leather breaks), a typical German feature in the 16th century.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art