Pair of Rowel Spurs
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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 manufacture of spurs was a specialist craft, the makers being known as 'spurriers'.
This type, with revolving spiked wheels that pressed into the flanks of the horse, was known as a rowel spur. It was first developed in the late Middle Ages. Some rowel spurs are elaborate showpieces with more than a dozen revolving spiked wheels.
This type, with revolving spiked wheels that pressed into the flanks of the horse, was known as a rowel spur. It was first developed in the late Middle Ages. Some rowel spurs are elaborate showpieces with more than a dozen revolving spiked wheels.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Chiselled and blued iron |
| Brief description | Pair of rowel spurs, chiselled and blued iron, Germany, 19th century |
| Physical description | Chiselled and blued iron, each spur has five eight-armed rowels with smaller rowels of eight points at the end of each arm. |
| Historical context | The multiple rowels are non-functional, which suggests this may be a spur-maker's exhibition piece. |
| Production | In the 15th century style |
| Summary | 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 manufacture of spurs was a specialist craft, the makers being known as 'spurriers'. This type, with revolving spiked wheels that pressed into the flanks of the horse, was known as a rowel spur. It was first developed in the late Middle Ages. Some rowel spurs are elaborate showpieces with more than a dozen revolving spiked wheels. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 568&A-1899 |
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| Record created | March 26, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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