In the early 16th century, the fashion trend of wearing wide flaring shoes, called ‘bear paw’ style, was applied to armor as well. Consequently wider stirrups like this one were made to accommodate them.
This fine example is adorned with brass ornaments, which would have shined like gold when new, a particularly popular decorative technique in German lands in the late 15th and early 16th century for spurs and stirrups. It is stamped with the maker's mark, a small bell.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
Open Access
As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.
API
Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
Overall
Side
Overall
Artwork Details
Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item
Title:Stirrup
Date:ca. 1520
Culture:German
Medium:Iron, copper alloy
Dimensions:H. 6 5/8 in. (16.8 cm); W. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 12 oz. (793.79 g)
Classification:Equestrian Equipment-Stirrups
Credit Line:Rogers Fund, 1955
Object Number:55.185.3
Marking: Maker's mark in the form of a hawk's bell stamped on top of the arch.
Ex coll.: Count d'Arlincourt, Paris; Count Hector Economos, Paris; William Randolph Hearst, New YorkWilliam Randolph Hearst, St. Donat's Castle, Wales (1932–d. 1951; lot no. A.104); by descent to the International Studio Art Division, The Hearst Corporation, New York (1951–1955; inv. S/B, lot no. 1630, art. no. 5; sold on November 21, 1955, to MMA).
Allentown. Allentown Art Museum. "Arms and Armor: A Loan Exhibition from the Collection of Stephen V. Grancsay: with Important Contributions by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the John Woodman Higgins Armory, Worcester, Massachusetts," March 15–June 14, 1964, no. 23.
Seattle, Wash. Seattle Art Museum. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," March 11, 1982–June 6, 1982, no. 33.
Denver, Colo. Denver Art Museum. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," July 18–October 10, 1982, no. 33.
San Antonio, Tex. Witte Museum of the San Antonio Museum Association. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," November 13, 1982–February 5, 1983, no. 33.
Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis Institute of Arts. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," May 24–July 31, 1983, no. 33.
San Francisco. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," November 5, 1983–January 28, 1984, no. 33.
Detroit, Mich. Detroit Institute of Arts. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," April 4–June 17, 1984, no. 33.
Allentown Art Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and John Woodman Higgins Armory. Arms and Armor: A Loan Exhibition from the Collection of Stephen V. Grancsay: with Important Contributions by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the John Woodman Higgins Armory, Worcester, Massachusetts: March 15–June 14, 1964. Allentown, Pa.: Allentown Art Museum, March 15, 1964–June 14, 1964. p. 29, no. 23.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Helmut Nickel, Stuart W. Pyhrr, Leonid Tarassuk, and American Federation of Arts. The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art: An Exhibition. New York: The Federation, 1982. pp. 76–77, no. 33, ill.
The Met's Libraries and Research Centers provide unparalleled resources for research and welcome an international community of students and scholars.
The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.
