Display of Barding Styles Part 5- Arabian Barding

The Arabic style of barding shown at the left is taken from the source: Asil Arabians, The Noble Arabian Horses, edited by W Georg Olms.^[1]  This style of barding is in keeping with the general costume and custom styles of the Arab regions as well as the Persian cultures from 1100 to 1600. In addition to the above source, I referenced the book, Arabian Costumes, by Lois Ann Kroll. As noted in the introduction to this book, the use of "Native Costumes" for showing Arabian horses in the Native Costume classes is required and designs are required to be as authentic as possible to maintain the "essence of the class."^[2]While this source admits it is not an "authoritative treatise," it is a reference for designers of this type of equipment. Therefore, I used it to help interpret the more minute details which were not discernible from the historical paintings. This style is also documented in the article by Viscountess Kassandra Tenebrosa, "Costume of the Military Horse." This article is available on the Northstar (Northshield) A&S website. The style I replicated was used in the later period of the Middle Ages.

 

The Miniature:

Tassels and elaborate cloth were the norm. I made the tassels from real wool thread, which was the most common thread type available to the wandering nomadic tribal warriors of the time. The cloth I chose is similar to the heavy brocaded cloth of the period. I chose to use this because it matches the full sized piece I have just completed and hope to use on my horses this season. I hand stitched the piece, as opposed to using machinery stitches, as despite scale, I wanted to make it as authentic as possible. The piece is displayed on a horse typical of the Arab warrior, the Arabian Horse.

 

Full Size Barding:
 

The full sized Arabian barding was constructed for use in the SCA. A full detailing of this barding is contained in an article on this blog already. Reference to it is included here only as it applies to the display of the miniature.

I made another Arabic inspired barding which I have used numerous times at SCA events. It is shown on the right being worn by the Sylvan Steed of Æthelmearc, Danny, who I trained and owned at the time. He is being ridden in the 2014 Kingdom Equestrian Championships by Master Tigernach. The barding consists of a decorated breastplate and saddle cloth. Both have bells attached to them for embellishment and sound.

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1. W Georg Olms. Asil Arabians, The Noble Arabian Horses (Oiartzun, Spain: KSG‑DANONA, 2000) 296, 961, 975-6,.
2. Lois Ann Kroll.  Arabian Costumes.  (Aurora, CO: International Arabian Horse Assoc., 1999) 3.

Sources:

Kroll, Lois Ann.  Arabian Costumes, Aurora, CO: International Arabian Horse Assoc., 1999.
Olms,  W Georg, ed. Asil Arabians, The Noble Arabian Horses, Oiartzun, Spain: KSG‑DANONA, 2000.
ACostume of the Military Horse,@ Viscountess Kassandra Tenebrosa,  1 Feb 2009,
<http://www.havenonline.com/moas/northstar/vol1no1/HorseCostume.htm>.