"Rowel" Spur
Date1700s
Mediumsteel
Dimensions7.5 × 21 cm (2 15/16 × 8 1/4 in.), 6 oz (weight)
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.998
DescriptionDark steel. Formed for either foot, but possibly for left. Nearly identical to, but not forming pair with HAM 613.2 (deaccessioned). Deep, "U"-shaped heel-plate of flattened semicircular section, straight branches tapering to decoratively cut & cusped, punched lobated openwork oval terminals having semicircular cutouts for straps. Between heel-plate & neck is flat, floral-form disk, with petal-like projections along edge, accented with radiating incised lines, each segment circularly pierced near edge. Neck essentially an openwork rowel-box with kidney-shaped piercing & projecting terminal accented by deep, vertical filed line. Rowel of 7 bluntly pointed, triangular points with beveled edges.Label TextThe rowel spur, with its rotating star-shaped disk, was a medieval invention that first appeared in the 1200s. By the Renaissance it had become the standard form, and was exported to the Americas by European colonists.ProvenancePurchased by John W. Higgins on November 24, 1928 from American Art Association (NY), lot no. 155 (Dean armor sale). Given to the Museum on July 1, 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, Janaury 2014.
On View
Not on view
1800s
1800s
