875 - Three bronze fittings from a horse harness and a belt end, eastern regions of the Fertile Crescent, 8th century B.C.

Three bronze fittings from a horse harness and a belt end, eastern regions of the Fertile Crescent, 8th century B.C. 1) Cross-shaped fitting with a dot-and-knob decoration. Possibly a strap divider. In the center is a knob surrounded by three concentric circles of dot-shaped impressions struck from above. Around this is a wreath of oval knobs, each bordered by dot-shaped impressions. On two opposite arms of the cross, three rows of such oval and circular bosses, each bordered by dot punches. On the other two opposite arms, a zigzag pattern and small circular bosses, again bordered by dot punches. The edge of the fitting is adorned with a double row of dot marks hammered from the back. A reddish-brown patina on the cleaned upper surface; oxide deposits on the reverse. 25 cm x 23.2 cm. 2) Tall, ribbon-shaped fitting with crossbars in the center and a fan-shaped end at the bottom. Straight top edge with two perforations in the center for fastening, plus additional individual perforations at the ends of the crossbars and in the center of the fan-shaped arch. The edge is bordered by three parallel, raised lines, with rows of dot-shaped punches struck from the back between them. Reddish-brown patina on the cleaned upper surface; oxide deposits on the reverse. 3) End fitting from a sheet-metal belt, with the sides flanged at the top, bottom, and right. An opening and rivets for attaching a fastening strap are located in the center on the right. Two additional rivets for attachment to the belt backing are located in the left corners. Inside, within a tall rectangular frame composed of raised double lines and dot-punched patterns struck from the back, four horses of the same model are superimposed, struck from the back, with their outlines re-chiseled on the front. Height 10.3 cm, width 4.3 cm. CULTURAL HERITAGE! Provenance: French private collection, acquired from the collection of Axel Guttmann (1944–2001). Inventory numbers (still affixed to the back: AG 292; AG R292; AG 298). Condition: II