Assyrian or Urartian Shaffron

Culture: Assyrian or Urartian
Period: 1st half 1st millennium B.C.
Material: Bronze
Dimensions: 32.5 cm high
Price: Sold
Ref: 6332
Provenance: Private collection Axel Guttmann with the collection number AG R21, acquired 1987 in Frankfurt, Germany. Thence Hermann Historica on 12 April 2010, lot 347.
Condition: On one side a small crack on the edge, otherwise intact and wonderfully preserved.
Description: Shaffron made of hammered bronze in the shape of a horse's muzzle. The outer area smooth, the edge thickened. Inside, two uniform surfaces hammered of the bronze sheet, which give the horse armor plasticity. Top and bottom perforations to mount the bronze armor on a lining below. A rare example of Near Eastern horse armor. An old collection label from the well known Axel Guttmann collection on the inside. Mounted.