Artwork preview

Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) Belonging to an Armor for Field and Tournament Made for Duke Nikolaus "The Black" Radziwill (1515–1565), Duke of Nesvizh and Olyka, Prince of the Empire, Grand Chancellor and Marshal of Lithuania

Kunz Lochner

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dark brown metal horse head defense with red and gold etchings. The piece is shaped like a horse's head with a wide top that tapers to a narrow base. A large circular eye opening on the left side with curved cut-outs forming a star pattern. A small nose guard on the right side. The surface features intricate etchings in red and gold. A hinge on the right side. The base is flat. The background is white.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1555; probably repainted and eye guards restored later
Medium
Steel, brass, gold, paint
Culture
German, Nuremberg
Dimensions
495 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette