Rowel Spur (Right)

Unknown

early 17th century · Iron alloy, gold, silver · Arms and Armor

The particularly rich decoration of this spur features delicate gold damascened scrolls and rectangular medallions inlaid with silver roses. The insides of the branches are even decorated with silver damascened vegetal scrolls, standing out against a blackened background. This type of decoration is often found on German and British rapier hilts made in the early 17th century. 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. The left spur of this pair is now preserved in the Musée des Beaux-arts of Lyon, France (inv. no. D307).

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 17th century

Medium

Iron alloy, gold, silver

Culture

British or German

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913