Artwork preview

Saddle Pommel

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image shows a saddle pommel by Artist Unknown. The pommel is gold-colored with a bronze-colored top. The top section is roughly rectangular with rounded edges and a slight curve, darker than the rest of the piece. The lower section is ornately decorated with swirling patterns and a raised animal figure in the center. The object has a curved bottom with two small protrusions on either end. The background is a plain gray color. The object casts a slight shadow on the surface below it. The overall shape resembles a half-moon or a curved rectangle.

Artwork Details

Date
7th–9th century
Medium
Gold foil and silver
Culture
China (Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Central Asia)
Dimensions
600 × 450 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette