The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 28, 2023

Curb Bit

c. 1580–1600

Italy, late 16th Century

Iron with gilt bronze bosses

Overall: 25.4 x 15.6 cm (10 x 6 1/8 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance 1916.1581

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

A curb bit uses lever action, meaning that it multiplies the pressure applied by the rider.

Description

A well-constructed curb bit was an essential piece of equipment for keeping a powerful battle stallion under control. Like other horse trappings, bits were often elegantly fashioned and ornamented. This example has applied and gilded bosses.

Provenance
?-1916
Frank Gair Macomber, Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art
1916-
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Citations
Gilchrist, Helen Ives. A Catalogue of the Collection of Arms & Armor Presented to the Cleveland Museum of Art by Mr. and Mrs. John Long Severance; 1916-1923. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1924. Mentioned: p. 240, J37; Reproduced: Plate XLVIII, J37 archive.org
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms and Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: The Museum, 1998. p. 53, 165, cat. nol 71
Fliegel, Stephen N. Arms & Armor: The Cleveland Museum of Art. [Cleveland, Ohio]: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2007. cat. no. 72, p. 185
Exhibition history

Armor Court Reinstallation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.1581