When hanged together, these stirrups display on one side of their footplate rims, in Latin, the name of their original owner, Jacob Helt, as well as their manufacture year 1694. Heraldic griffins, a common decorative motif on German equestrian material since the 16th century, adorn the top of the footplates.
Its pierced decoration is typical of the production of southeast Germany and Saxony in the 16th and 17th centuries. Two holes drilled on each side of the branches indicate that they were originally very likely enriched with pierced decorated plaques, probably made of another metal, screwed over the rather rough vegetal scrolls, creating a double-layer effect.
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Title:Pair of Stirrups
Date:dated 1694
Culture:German, possibly Saxony
Medium:Iron alloy
Dimensions:42.50.458; H. 8 in. (20.3 cm); W. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm); D. 4 in. (10.2 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 8 oz. (680.4 g); 42.50.459; H. 8 in. (20.3 cm); W. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm); D. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm); Wt. 1 lb. 7.9 oz. (677.6 g)
Classification:Equestrian Equipment-Stirrups
Credit Line:Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
Accession Number:42.50.458–459
Inscription: On one stirrup: "ANNO" and "HELT", on the other: "1694" and "IACOB" (Jacob Helt (probably the owner), year 1694)
Marking: At the back of the footplate rim and inside one of the branches: LS (?) (probably the maker's mark)
Clarence H. Mackay, Roslyn, NY (until d. 1938; his estate, sold through Seligmann & Co. to Grancsay); Stephen V. Grancsay, New York (by January 14, 1941–42; his gift to MMA).
Los Angeles. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. "Loan Exhibition of Mediaeval and Renaissance Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art," January 15–March 18, 1953, no. 47.
San Francisco. California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. "Loan Exhibition of Mediaeval and Renaissance Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art," April 18–June 7, 1953, no. 47.
Pittsburgh. Department of Fine Arts, Carnegie Institute. "Loan Exhibition of Mediaeval and Renaissance Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art," October 1953–April 1954, no. 47.
Louisville, Ky. Speed Art Museum. "A Loan Exhibition of Equestrian Equipment from the Metropolitan Museum of Art," May 4–July 3, 1955, no. 149.
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. 27.
Zschille, Louis Moritz Richard, and Robert Forrer. Die Steigbügel in ihrer Formen–Entwicklung: Characterisirung und Datirung der Steigbügel unserer Culturvölker. Berlin: Paul Bette Verlag, 1896. pp. 13–14, pl. XIII, no. 4.
Grancsay, Stephen V. Loan Exhibition of Mediaeval and Renaissance Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1953. p. 18, no. 47.
Grancsay, Stephen V. A Loan Exhibition of Equestrian Equipment from the Metropolitan Museum of Art: Catalogue. Louisville, Ky.: Speed Art Museum, 1955. no. 149, ill. (line drawing).
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. no. 27.
Crossbow by Johann Gottfried Hänisch the Elder (German, Dresden 1696–1778)
dated 1742
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