Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) ca. 5th-7th century Central Asian This shaffron is extraordinarily rare both for being one of only a few known examples of Central Asian textile shaffrons (see also 2016.171) and for the fact that it is a largely intact and complete textile object from a region and period when textile fragments are the norm. The weaving technique and the motifs suggest that the silk was made in Central Asia, inspired by Chinese fabric that was known via commerce on the Silk Road.A ceremonial shaffron (horse's head covering) made of silk. The shaffron has two circular eye openings. At the center of the top edge there is a poll piece in the form of a tab that would lay between the ears on the horse's poll. Along the bottom edge there are two notches to accommodate the nostrils. There are separately padded crescent-shaped pieces above the eyes and above the nostril areas. The main textile is dark purple-brown with a repeating pattern of closely grouped and slightly offset h