Part of a saddle steel

Middle piece of a front saddle steel, which would originally have been composed of three parts, a pair of side-plates in addition to this central plate. The edges are finely shaped, those at the top being flanged and roped. Embossed and chased with an equestrian combat between a Roman soldier and an Eastern warrior, with tents and a castle in the background, which is itself elaborately chased with foliage and other details; a fallen combatant kneels on the ground below. The whole composition is gilt, except for the flesh surfaces of the figures, which are blued. It is pierced with two circular holes for bolting it to the saddle-tree.

For other pieces with comparable decoration see A322.