Pair of Rowel Spurs
This pair of spurs belong to a type particularly favored, but not worn exclusively by, confederate officers during the American Civil War. Such spurs were often advertised in catalogues of military equipment such as Schuyler, Hartley and Graham's Illustrated Catalogue of Arms and Military Goods, published in 1864, from which officers could order this kind of good. The eagle refers of course to the emblem of the United States and these spurs were worn as a sign of patriotism. They might have been inspired by similar contemporary spurs made in other countries also using an eagle as an emblem, such as Mexico or the German Empire.
This spur has been cast using galvanoplasty, a relatively new technique at the time for reproducing three-dimensional objects. Galvanoplasty, also called electrotyping, is a chemical process using electric currents that coats a mold, previously immersed in a solution, with metal (here a copper alloy). It is very likely that the pair was then silvered using a similar process, called electroplating. The rowel, however, a part constantly in contact with the horse's flanks, is cast in iron, a stronger metal.
This spur has been cast using galvanoplasty, a relatively new technique at the time for reproducing three-dimensional objects. Galvanoplasty, also called electrotyping, is a chemical process using electric currents that coats a mold, previously immersed in a solution, with metal (here a copper alloy). It is very likely that the pair was then silvered using a similar process, called electroplating. The rowel, however, a part constantly in contact with the horse's flanks, is cast in iron, a stronger metal.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pair of Rowel Spurs
- Date: ca. 1860
- Culture: American
- Medium: Copper alloy, silver, iron
- Dimensions: 42.50.367; L. 5 in. (12.7 cm); W. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); Diam. of rowel 1/2 in. (1.3 cm); Wt. 2.1 oz. (59.5 g); 42.50.368; L. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm); W. 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); Diam. of rowel 1/2 in. (1.3 cm); Wt. 1.9 oz. (53.9 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Spurs
- Credit Line: Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
- Object Number: 42.50.367–.368
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Jacob Kuntz
ca. 1810–20
Samuel Colt
Frederick Hanson
ca. 1840
Samuel Jackson
1854–55
Samuel Colt
ca. 1853
On loan to The Met
Ames Manufacturing Company
John Quincy Adams Ward
ca. 1865
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
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.