Stirrup
This heavy iron cross-form stirrup is decorated in low relief with vegetal scrolls inhabited by lions, dogs and birds, motifs possibly inspired by imported Chinese textiles and ivories. The silver nails on the corners of the side arms would have attached silver ornaments (now lost). The two elongated flaps are connected with a flat piece of iron pierced as a house façade motif showing a balcony, windows with vases, and vegetal scrolls inhabited by animals.
Estribos de cruz, as they are called in Spanish, were particularly popular in Mexico during the 18th century, and were used by cavalry. Oversized and very heavy, many of them feature elaborate decoration, sometimes enriched with silver elements. Horses were already at this time a mark of social status in Mexican society, and the display of rich, beautiful, and shiny horse tack was a way to highlight this fact. Despite (or perhaps because of) its popularity, however, this type of stirrup was officially forbidden for soldiers by royal decree in 1772, and then completely in 1778, mostly because of the danger they presented to bystanders.
Estribos de cruz, as they are called in Spanish, were particularly popular in Mexico during the 18th century, and were used by cavalry. Oversized and very heavy, many of them feature elaborate decoration, sometimes enriched with silver elements. Horses were already at this time a mark of social status in Mexican society, and the display of rich, beautiful, and shiny horse tack was a way to highlight this fact. Despite (or perhaps because of) its popularity, however, this type of stirrup was officially forbidden for soldiers by royal decree in 1772, and then completely in 1778, mostly because of the danger they presented to bystanders.
Artwork Details
- Title: Stirrup
- Date: 18th century
- Culture: Mexican
- Medium: Iron, silver
- Dimensions: H. 18 in. (45.7 cm); W. 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm); D. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm); Wt. 6 lb. 11 oz. (3033.4 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Stirrups
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1937
- Object Number: 37.117
- 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.
Smith & Wesson
Tiffany & Co.
1881–1902
Mexican
18th century
Mexican
ca. 1750
Jacob Kuntz
ca. 1810–20
Samuel Colt
Frederick Hanson
ca. 1840
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.