Bronze Mitrai (Belly Guard) in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Three bronze mitrai (belly guards)
Cretan, late 7th century BC

Accession # 1989.281.51-53

These three mitrai were found on Crete with the two helmets exhibited above. They were suspended from belts to protect the lower abdomen. One, with the depiction of the foreparts of horses is inscribed, "Synenitos, the son of Euklotas [took] this." Another, with the foreparts of winged horses, is inscribed, "Aisonidas, the son of Kloridos took this." The third mitra is decorated with two sphinxes. Such heraldic representations of fantastic animals were derived from Near Eastern prototypes.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.