Horse harness decorations

Metal detectorists tend to do us proud. Their finds help to paint a little of the history of our area. And here we concentrate on the time when horses ruled the road and the field; a time when people loved their animals and wanted them to look their best and that included the leather harness. These were decorated with what are traditionally called horse brasses but often were made of other metals.

Sadly, in the rough and tumble of a working life, some fell off and were lost. But metal detectorists find them again.

Here are some recently donated ‘brasses’

Attractive decoration.

We read PB into that monogram. Could it be Pleydell Bouverie?

Possibly 16^th century??

Once again, our thanks go to Norman for these lovely items which can be seen in the new ‘Ashmolean’ drawers at the museum

Tags: decoration, harness, horse