01/02/2023
Whoa Nelly!
Saddle – Central European circa 1410
This is one of about twenty known Medieval saddles decorated with bone plaques. The saddles vary somewhat in decoration, but certain motifs are common throughout. For instance, Saint George, standing over the defeated dragon, appears with elegant couples on most of the saddles. Used in parade, they were probably more ceremonial than utilitarian.
The bone plaques used to create the saddle, probably from the pelvic bones of large animals such as cows, are attached to the core with bone pins and glue. The underside is lined with hide and birch bark.
The saddle is on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Fifth Avenue in Gallery 306
Photo credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Additional information and photographs
https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1400-1420-artist-unknown-saddle/
