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
Museum record:
View original
Palette