Bit Boss with Apollo and Aurora late 16th century South German The central part of this bit boss depicts Apollo on his quadriga flying over the figure of Aurora lying on clouds, with wreaths of flowers in her hand. This scene is probably copied or inspired from an unidentified medal or a luxury prototype made by a German goldsmith. German bronze founders would regularly use Italian medals or plaquettes as models for their works, including bosses, like this one, which decorated the sides of horse bits. They also produced similar decorative elements for powder flasks, staff weapons or even pistols. This scene seems to have been a common design for bit bosses and plaquettes made in Southern Germany in the second half of the 16th century.. Bit Boss with Apollo and Aurora. South German. late 16th century. Copper alloy, gold. Equestrian Equipment-Bits