Unknown Artist
The mouthpiece would make this bit rather harsh, since, because of the central high port for the tongue, the ribbed rollers would rest directly on the bars (part of the horses’ jaw without teeth). Its severity would be also increased by its rigidity, since the central joint of the mouthpiece does not move and its sides not articulate with the cheekpieces. This bit was possibly used on a carriage horse.
Credit: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
c. 1800
Iron alloy, tin
23.5 cm
14.25.1785
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Permanent collection