Pair of Rowel Spurs

Unknown

ca. 1630–60 · Iron alloy · Arms and Armor

In the first half of the 17th century, the fashion trend for gentlemen was to wear boots and spurs even in non-riding circumstances, including for dancing or walking around at court. Spurs became then more than equestrian tools, but pieces of male jewelry often enriched by the same goldsmiths also working on armor and weapons. Their decoration was sometimes intended to match the sword hilt and the general outfit and horse tack of their owner. These trendy accessories were also a significant mark of status for gentlemen, sometimes nonetheless copied by the bourgeoisie. This fashion progressively disappeared after the mid 17th century. This type of chiseled and pierced decoration was used by the spur makers in eastern Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite their name, spur makers not only made spurs, but also all the small equestrian hardware like bits, stirrups, muzzles, cavessons or curry-combs, sometimes adorned with the same intricate decoration.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1630–60

Medium

Iron alloy

Culture

German

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913