Rowel Spur

Unknown

ca. 1600 · Iron alloy, tin · Arms and Armor

Despite its simple shape this spur is skillfully chiseled all over with a fishbone motif giving it a particularly sculptural aspect. In the early 17th century spurs became true fashion accessories often worn outside the equestrian context, and some of them were real pieces of jewelry. Even if this spur is simpler and more practical than some of its luxurious contemporaries, its design and and foliate rowel give it enough elegance to align it with this idea.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1600

Medium

Iron alloy, tin

Culture

German

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942