Horse Gear

Bit

Winged bulls. 2 parallel plaques, pierced with round hole for a bit - straight square piece with ends rolled outside. The back of the plaques has 2 spikes (to fix piece of leather against the horse cheek?) and 2 rings for straps. The bulls are passant, heads turned front face. The front shoulder blade rises over the back into a pinion of straight wings. The body is incised with rosettes and straight lines

Legrain publication: "Bronze horse -bit made of a straight bar between two cheek pieces in relief of very decorative effect. They represent winged bulls passant with head turned front, common on Assyrian monuments. the shoulder blade becomes the pinion of the wing. The body is incised with rosettes and straight lines. The two rings on the top of the cheek pieces are used to strap them above and below the mouth of the animal. The two short spikes at the back served to fix a piece of leather against the cheeks. the round hole in the middle lets pass the metal bit, square in the section with fattened ends rolled outside. Bit 173 x 6 mm. Bulls 90 x 90 mm."

Ackerman: Gallery II, Case 9, Object M-Bit with Cheek Plaques.

Winged bull walking, head affronted; rosettes engraved on body. L 3 ½ in