Object Number 2024.0006.001.001

Object Name

Spur (Rowel spur)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

​Museum purchase with funds provided by the bequest of Henry Francis du Pont​

Place of Origin

Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America

Origin Notes

Probably Buenos Aires, Argentina

Date

1700-1800

Subjects

Equestrian

Materials

Silver

Techniques

Cast

Dimensions (inches)

Dimensions (centimeters)

Object Description

Web - 04/08/2024

One of two matching rowel spurs that form a pair made from cast silver components that are tenoned and soldered together. The pair of spurs are artistically aspirational and made from heavy, solid silver to express the extremes of a style statement as well as their cost for the wearer. The winged cherub and lion heads with a sun face surrounded by feathers and rays suggests appropriation or integration of indigenous cosmological symbols with European secular and religious motifs. Their visual impact would be most accessible to viewers when the wearer was astride a horse and the spurs were at eye-level.