Prick Spur
This small spur was secured at the back of the foot by the means of leather straps attached to the terminals’ buttons.
In high antiquity, spurs were not used in pairs, but rather as a single accessory attached to only one of the feet, usually on the left. The first pairs are recorded in some Greek regions in the late 2nd century B.C. They were used, as they are today, for directing a horse to move forwards. The prick spur was the first type of spur to be invented, and it consists of a goad or prick, more or less pointed, connected to side arms or a heel plate. The earliest spurs were probably simple thorns attached at the back of the heel or ankle, before they began to be made out of metal.
In high antiquity, spurs were not used in pairs, but rather as a single accessory attached to only one of the feet, usually on the left. The first pairs are recorded in some Greek regions in the late 2nd century B.C. They were used, as they are today, for directing a horse to move forwards. The prick spur was the first type of spur to be invented, and it consists of a goad or prick, more or less pointed, connected to side arms or a heel plate. The earliest spurs were probably simple thorns attached at the back of the heel or ankle, before they began to be made out of metal.
Artwork Details
- Title: Prick Spur
- Date: 2nd–1st century BCE
- Geography: Stradonice
- Culture: Celtic
- Medium: Iron
- Dimensions: L. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); W. 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm); Wt. 0.4 oz. (11.3 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Spurs
- Credit Line: Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
- Object Number: 42.50.270
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Greek or Italic
4th–1st century BCE
Celtic
2nd–1st century BCE
possibly Roman or Celtic
possibly 2nd–1st century BCE
possibly Roman or Celtic
possibly 2nd–1st century BCE
Roman
mid-2nd century BCE
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