This is an old steel bit with a good dark aged patina. Bonhams catalogued a very similar bit as 17th century in 2008, it can be seenHERE This example has a central arched port whose arms pass through loops in the fixed bars of the mouthpiece. Each arm of the port ends in a blunt conical protrusion.
The short cheeks curve backwards in their lower sections. They have separate swiveling rein loops. Each cheek is decorated with a rectangle of brass with fine pierced or openwork decoration in the Safavid style. These were handmade and are not identical. The bit still has its original curb chain and hooks.
Dimensions : mouthpiece 12cm (4¾"), cheeks 12.5cm (4⅞") not including rein loops
