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Collections

Armor for a Horse's Head (Chanfron)16th century

Not on view
Hammered gold or gilded metal shield-form object with a central vertical ridge, small raised studs along the perimeter, and a low-relief face near the top
Hammered brass shield with an elongated teardrop form, featuring a raised central ridge, a small embossed motif near the top, and studded edges along the perimeter; aged golden surface with patina and wear.
Gilt metal shield with an elongated oval form, studded edges, and a central vertical ridge terminating in a raised floral boss with a stylized face motif; curved side flanges and worn gilded surface.
Title
Armor for a Horse's Head (Chanfron)
Place Made
Turkey
Date Made
16th century
Medium
Copper, gilt (tombak)
Dimensions
Length: 22 1/2 in. (57.1 cm)
Credit Line
The Edwin Binney, 3rd, Collection of Turkish Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Accession Number
M.85.237.90
Classification
Arms and Armor
Collecting Area
Art of the Middle East: Islamic
Curatorial Notes

This gilt copper chanfron was intended for ceremonial use, as Ottoman battle armor for both horse and rider was generally fabricated of steel. Armor-clad horses were an important part of Ottoman State formalities; cavalry and guard brigades were typical features of parades and ceremonial processions. Here the slot at the center of the forehead was probably intended for a decorative plume.

Selected Bibliography
  • Overton, Keelan. "A History of Ottoman Art History Through the Private Database of Edward Binney, 3rd." Journal of Art Historiography 6 (2012): 1-19.

  • Lo Terrenal y lo Divino: Arte Islámico siglos VII al XIX Colección del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Ángeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural La Moneda, 2015.

  • Komaroff, Linda. Beauty and Identity: Islamic Art from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2016.