Pair of Rowel Spurs
17th 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 | Iron inlaid with brass with leather straps |
| Brief description | Wrought iron, inlaid with brass with cuir bouilli leather straps, Spain, 17th century |
| Physical description | Pair of iron spurs surmounted by lions' heads, inlaid with brass with cuir bouilli leather straps, double neck of each spur terminating in pierced rectangles enclosing rowels with six points. |
| Subject depicted | |
| 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 | 91&A-1901 |
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| Record created | April 6, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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