Pair of Rowel Spurs
In the first half of the 17th century, a new fashion trend for gentlemen was to wear boots and spurs even for non-riding circumstances, such as dancing or merely walking around at court. In this way, spurs became more than equestrian equipment, but pieces of male jewelry, often enriched by the same goldsmiths who also worked 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 gradually disappeared after the mid-17th century.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pair of Rowel Spurs
- Date: about 1640 to 1650
- Culture: probably Spanish
- Medium: Copper alloy, gold, iron
- Dimensions: L. of each neck 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm); L. of each rowel box 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm); Diam. of each star rowel 2 1/8 in. (5.4 cm); Wt. of left spur 5 lb. 4 oz. (2381 g); Wt. of right spur 5 lb. 8 oz. (2495 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Spurs
- Credit Line: Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
- Object Number: 14.25.1731a, b
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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armor, Italian, Milan; spurs, French
armor, ca. 1623–30; spurs, early 17th century
Jean Drouart
dated 1712
Master GG
hallmarked 1773–74
Multiple artists/makers
dated 1735
Clemens Horn
1600–1625
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