BIRD BIT

Luristan, Iran

Iron Age I or II, 9th - 7th centuries BC

Bronze

H.: 5; Long. psalia: 11 cm

This tripartite bronze bit with a green-brown patina is composed of two psalia animated by two pairs of bird protomes – probably eagles – facing each other. They each have a ring at the neck which allows the reins of the mount's harness to be passed through. A crossbar, called the barrel, with ends hemmed in an inverted manner, is rigid and square in section.

Origin :

Former private collection acquired in the 1960s, Paris.

Bibliography:

• A similar copy is kept at the Louvre Museum under the number AO 20511.
• A similar psalia is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art under reference 56.42.2.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref. : 4313