Pair of Rowel Spurs
16th 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, forged, chiselled and gilt, encrusted with silver |
| Brief description | Iron decorated with silver and gold, Italy, 16th century |
| Physical description | Pair of rowel spurs, iron, chiselled and partly gilt and encrusted with silver, with a rowel of 5 points, right angles neck and curved shanks, scroll buckles, decorated with leaf ornament and panels in which are reclining figures of justice |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by D. M. Currie |
| 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 | M.187&A-1921 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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