Not currently on display at the V&A

Rowel Spur

early 15th 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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wrought iron
Brief description
Wrought iron, Europe, early 15th century
Physical description
Wrought iron rowel spur with long neck, with rowel of 8 points, pointed heel-plate ending in a small knob, with sharply curved sides
Dimensions
  • Length: 17.2cm
  • Width: 8.4cm
Style
Credit line
Bequeathed by Major Victor Alexander Farquharson
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
  • Charles de Lacy, The History of the Spur , The Connoisseur, 1911
  • Charles Chenevix Trench, A History of Horsemanship, Longman, 1970
Collection
Accession number
M.763-1927

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Record createdApril 19, 2004
Record URL
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