Pair of Rowel Spurs
These spurs, made for a Mexican charro (a Mexican cowboy), are decorated with foliage and roses, pierced, chiseled, and inlaid with silver.
Charros were originally land, horse, and cattle owners who had a high social and economic status. They would meet during ceremonies and festivals and demonstrate their skills through several varieties of rodeo games called charrería. Charros and charrería remain important parts of Mexican traditional culture. During these festive events, charros could display splendidly decorated horse tack and spurs, the latter being one of the primary symbols of their culture.
Charros were originally land, horse, and cattle owners who had a high social and economic status. They would meet during ceremonies and festivals and demonstrate their skills through several varieties of rodeo games called charrería. Charros and charrería remain important parts of Mexican traditional culture. During these festive events, charros could display splendidly decorated horse tack and spurs, the latter being one of the primary symbols of their culture.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pair of Rowel Spurs
- Date: 19th century
- Culture: Mexican
- Medium: Iron alloy, silver
- Dimensions: 32.75.214: L. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm); W. 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm); Diam. of rowel 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm); Wt. 7 oz. (198.4 g); 32.75.215: L. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm); W. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); Diam. of rowel 1 3/4 in. (4.5 cm); Wt. 7 oz. (198.4 g)
- Classification: Equestrian Equipment-Spurs
- Credit Line: The Collection of Giovanni P. Morosini, presented by his daughter Giulia, 1932
- Object Number: 32.75.214–215
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
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Mexican
probably mid-18th century
Smith & Wesson
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1881–1902
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