Den falska nyckeln
Stångbett för skolridning - historia, terminologi, katalogisering
The art of riding is a fugitive art, which signifies that the means available for documentation of performances are insufficient, and that the equipment used by the old masters are important clues for the understanding of their art. The most specialized tool used for riding is the bit, in particular the curb. As museum catalogues become accessible to the public through the internet, riders will look for information about bits. It is then important that the information provided in the catalogues is valid not just for the curator, archaeologist or art historian, but also for the rider.In this paper, I add context to the bits by explaining two opposing philosophies of bitting, and how they affect the design of the bits. This is followed by a brief history of the art of riding and how the bits have evolved since the 16?th century. I then proceed to describe the function of the bit, and suggest a terminology in Swedish to use when describing bits in museum catalogues. The paper ends with some reflections on writing catalogue texts and photographing bits.