Rowel Spur thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 57

Rowel Spur

ca. 1600-1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
At a time when people travelled long distances on horseback, spurs were an important and necessary accessory. They were designed to fit round the heel of a boot and were held by a strap and buckle which passed over the foot. The revolving spiked wheel that pressed into the flanks of a horse was known as a rowel. It was first developed in the late Middle Ages.

Manufacture
The manufacture of spurs was a specialist craft, the makers being known as 'spurriers'. This example, which has been carefully cut and shaped, is typical of the best English work of around 1600-1625. Its mouldings would have been cut with a saw and files.

Place
A spur of this high quality would have been made in one of the major spur-making centres, such as Ripon, North Yorkshire, which was famous for its spurs, especially in the 17th century. A spur is included in the town coat of arms.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Steel, chiselled and pricked
Brief description
Chiselled and pricked steel rowel spur, England, 1600-1750
Dimensions
  • Maximum height: 6cm
  • Width: 15cm
  • Depth: 8.5cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 20/07/2000 by KB see diagram
Credit line
Lt. Col. G. B. Croft-Lyons Bequest
Object history
Made in England
Summary
Object Type
At a time when people travelled long distances on horseback, spurs were an important and necessary accessory. They were designed to fit round the heel of a boot and were held by a strap and buckle which passed over the foot. The revolving spiked wheel that pressed into the flanks of a horse was known as a rowel. It was first developed in the late Middle Ages.

Manufacture
The manufacture of spurs was a specialist craft, the makers being known as 'spurriers'. This example, which has been carefully cut and shaped, is typical of the best English work of around 1600-1625. Its mouldings would have been cut with a saw and files.

Place
A spur of this high quality would have been made in one of the major spur-making centres, such as Ripon, North Yorkshire, which was famous for its spurs, especially in the 17th century. A spur is included in the town coat of arms.
Collection
Accession number
M.1060-1926

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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