14th-16th century AD. An iron horse bit with decorative openwork elements to the shanks; two rods with loop joined by a single link, each rod with three free-running rings along its length; bar with oval-shaped expanded central section with openwork ornament. See ????????, ?., ???????????????? ????????? (The Old Bulgarian Armament), ?????, 1996, fig.1, pl.XXIV and fig.5, for a similar example. 400 grams total, 19cm (7 1/2"). Property of a gentleman from Vienna; from his private collection formed since 1970. Such horse bits, albeit in a more ornamental form, are visible on one of the most important equestrian artworks of the 15th century- the Cappella dei Magi, Florence, by Benozzo Gozzoli. [No Reserve] For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price