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Ancient Crusader Cast Bronze Horse Harness Pendant Mount / Strap Fitting (Approx. 5.0cm — c. 12th–14th Century AD)
Authenticity & Guarantee
Certification: Certified Authentic — includes signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) with full provenance documentation.
Provenance: Ex-private European collection, legally acquired from international sales; Crusader Levantine / Medieval European Sphere.
Item Specifications & Estimated Dimensions
Object: Cast Bronze Horse Harness Pendant Mount / Equestrian Strap Buckle Fitting
Culture / Period: Crusader Era / High Middle Ages (Levantine Crusader States / Medieval Knightly Sphere)
Date Range: Circa 12th Century AD – 14th Century AD (c. 1100 – 1300 AD)
Estimated Dimensions: Approx. 5.0 cm height (50 mm) × 3.5 cm width (Extrapolated from hand scale)
Material: Cast Bronze (Copper Alloy)
Form & Architecture: Robust cast bronze equestrian fitting engineered with a wide rectangular strap loop at the base designed to accommodate a leather harness strap; surmounted by an apex-triangular plate decorated on the obverse face with crisp, hand-engraved geometric chevrons and diamond cross-hatchings; flat reverse structural matrix
Condition: Exceptional, 100% complete ancient condition. Complete structural frame, sharp incised decorative geometry, preserved under an authentic sandy-tan to dark charcoal-olive earthen burial patina. Free of modern restoration or tooling.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT & TYPOLOGICAL LORE
Crusader Cavalry & Knightly Equestrian Accoutrements
During the 12th and 13th centuries in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem and across Western Europe, the warhorse (destrier) was central to knightly warfare. Heavy cavalry equipment featured elaborate leather tack decorated with cast bronze buckles, strap distributors, and harness pendants. Suspended from breastcollars, bridles, and cruppers, these metal fittings provided structural reinforcement while displaying decorative status on the battlefield and during pageantry.
Geometric Engraving & Frankish Design
The triangular plate decorated with incised chevrons and diamond lozenges is characteristic of High Medieval / Crusader Frankish bronze manufacture. Simple geometric patterns provided high visual contrast when polished, allowing horse trappings to glint in the Mediterranean sun alongside knightly heraldry.
Typological Analysis & Exact Classification
Primary Class: Medieval Military & Equestrian Equipment / Horse Harness Fitting
Sub-Class: Triangular Engraved Harness Pendant Mount / Strap Loop Class
Manufacturing Technique: Cast copper alloy plaque with cold-chised geometric engraving.
Comparable Archaeological Examples & Museum Accession Numbers
British Museum (Accession No. 1856,0701.2210): Medieval bronze triangular harness pendant mount with engraved geometric decoration.
Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS ID: LON-D63F82): 12th–13th century bronze horse harness fitting with rectangular strap slot and chevron plate.
Israel Museum, Jerusalem: Crusader period bronze equestrian fittings recovered from Holy Land fortress excavations (Acre, Belvoir, and Montfort).
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