Replica of a chamfron

A chamfron is a mask and headpiece worn by a horse when on parade. This picture shows a reconstruction of fragments of a Roman leather chamfron with brass studs found at the site of the Roman fort at Newstead in Roxburghshire.

The chamfron is covered with a design that features three sizes of brass-headed studs. The globular bronze eye-guards of the original chamfron were not recovered at Newstead, but the reconstruction illustrates how they would have looked.

Roman cavalry units held tournaments where they put on spectacular displays. The cavalrymen wore fancy helmets which covered the face as well as the head. The horses were elaborately dressed up as well, with headgear and silvered metal fittings.

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