Pair of Stirrups

Unknown

16th–18th century · Iron, gold, silver · Arms and Armor

Although close in form to the well-known style of Mongolian, Chinese, and Tibetan stirrups still in use in the region today, this pair, with its slender proportions and accomplished decoration, is earlier and finer than most examples of this type. The dragon heads are chiseled in high relief with deep undercutting and some piercing. The treads, where the rider's feet would rest, are decorated with the interlocked design known as the King's Earrings, damascened in silver.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th–18th century

Medium

Iron, gold, silver

Culture

Tibetan

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Purchase, Rogers Fund and Bequest of Stephen V. Grancsay, by exchange, 1997