A wonderful reconstruction of Scythian horse trappings. This type of ornamental covering has been discovered in 5th century BC royal burial mounds in the Altai Mountains. The Scythians invented the earliest form of a saddle. This invention spread across their sedentary neighbours
This fine and rare set of horse trappings is decorated with stones in beaded settings- a style Hunnish metalworkers favored. The large piece is a chamfron, which was worn on the horse's head above the eyes. This one is ornamental rather than defensive and indicated the wealth and power of the horse's owner. The two thin strips are bridle mounts, which probably covered the bridle or reins near the horse's head, where they would be best displayed. The gold tube is the handle of a Hunnish whip, called a "nagaika." The open end held the leather of the whip, which would be secured in place by the bronze rivet. The Huns had no spurs and instead used these whips to urge their horses to run.
For years, photographer Adam Jahiel has been taking pictures of the cowboys of Nevada's Great Basin, as the American subculture all but dies out.
Perusing the online exhibits of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, I was awed by their amazing collection of Luristan bronzes. These objects were made during the early Iron Age, ca. 1250 to 700 BCE, in the Luristan district of west-central Iran. In the 1920s and 1930s several enormous cemeteries in this region were looted, and these fascinating objects flooded onto the world antiquities market. This explains how they ended up in the LACMA; as I said before about their collection of American Indian art, much of their stuff comes from private collections built up in the early 20th century, and several very wealthy Californians seems to have gone wild for this stuff when it was all the rage. The full range of Luristan material is represented here: finials or staff heads like the one one above and the three goats at the top; weapons; horse harness; chariot fittings; and pins. I love this mysterious style, and I am fascinated by the world historical processes that lead to a huge collection of artifacts from one small mountainous region, their meaning and purpose largely unknown, ending up in the hands of movie moguls 3000 years later on the other side of the world.
Lot 3106. A large sancai-glazed figure of a caparisoned horse, Tang dynasty (618-907). Estimate HK$6,000,000 – HK$8,000,000 ($776,022 - $1,034,696). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016. The cream-glazed horse is naturalistically modelled standing on a...
Circa 1920 Dentzel Stander - SOLD Roached mane with heraldic-style, very intricate trappings including a side carving of a woman’s face and double-eagle cantle. In great old paint with trappings partly stripped. Excellent condition.
And various other ritual items - censers, horse trappings, and more. Tibet, 15th - 16th century Iron and steel with gold and silver inlays
Another participant in comments.
Washington, today. Why does Luxembourg still have such a fancy embassy? What, do you suppose, does the Ambassador from Luxembourg actually do? Does Luxembourg have a foreign policy? Money can't buy everything, but it sure does buy beautiful gardens. St. Jerome in front of the Croatian Embassy. In the Grimly Appropriate category, note that the Haitian Embassy is falling apart and has graffiti on the front door. Also tall weeds in the cracked parking pad right in front. Love the low-rent look of the air conditioners in the windows. This vacant building is plastered all over with Zoning Hearing signs, which I assume means somebody is turning it into condos. And it's a great building, although you would have to live next door to the Burmese ambassador. As you can see, it's a perfect day for wandering the city.
Lot 3106. A large sancai-glazed figure of a caparisoned horse, Tang dynasty (618-907). Estimate HK$6,000,000 – HK$8,000,000 ($776,022 - $1,034,696). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016. The cream-glazed horse is naturalistically modelled standing on a...
Ca. 1905 Dentzel Thoroughbred - SOLD Outside row stander. Stripped to nice bare finish. Unique art nouveau trappings. Location:
The Marwari Horse is a rare breed of horse from the Marwar (or Jodhpur) region of India. Known for its inward-turning ear tips, it comes in all equine colours, although pinto patterns tend to be th…
A Horse and an Ass were traveling together. The Horse prancing along in its fine trappings. The Ass carrying with difficulty the heavy weight in its panniers.“I wish I were you,” sighed the Ass; “nothing to do and well fed, and all that fine harness upon you.”
When Sasha Silver and her horse, Charm, arrive on the campus of the elite Canterwood Crest Academy, Sasha knows that she's in trouble. She's not exactly welcomed with open arms. One group of girls in particular is used to being the best, the brightest, and the prettiest on the team, and when Sasha shows her skills in the arena, the girls' claws come out. Sasha is determined to prove that she belongs at Canterwood. Will she rise to the occasion and make the advanced riding team by the end of her first semester? Or will the pressure send Sasha packing?
Ca. 1905 Dentzel Thoroughbred - SOLD Outside row stander. Stripped to nice bare finish. Unique art nouveau trappings. Location:
They say a dog is a man's best friend, but these pictures show a special friendship between dogs and horses. I had to throw in this last one.
From 2011 to 2013 Erika Larsen travelled to many locations in the western U.S. to learn about the significance of the horse in Native American culture. Many people shared their stories and experiences about this connection with her, as well as the word for “horse” in their respective languages. Larsen’s photographs documenting this bond are […]
