Bit Boss
Unknown Artist
first half 17th century
Medium
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Diam. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm); Wt. 2.5 oz. (72 g)
Classification
Equestrian Equipment-Bits
Culture
probably Netherlandish
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
Accession Number
42.50.220
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Bit Boss*, a finely piece of equestrian equipment from the first half of the 17 century, likely produced in the Netherlands. This small copper alloy disk, measuring just 3 3/16 inches (8.1 cm) in and weighing 2. ounces (72 g), served as a decorative element on a horse's bit—the metal mouthpiece essential for controlling cavalry mounts or riding horses. Displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department, it was generously gifted by Stephen V. Grancsay in 1942. In the turbulent era of the Dutch Revolt and the Eighty Years' War, Netherlandish metalworkers excelle...