"Rowel" Spur

Culture European

Dateabout 1370-1410

Mediumiron with traces of tinning

Dimensions7 × 9 × 18 cm (2 3/4 × 3 9/16 × 7 1/16 in.), 8 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.991

DescriptionThe spur is of one piece of iron or steel, with traces of tinning. The heel band is half-round in section, curving deeply below the ankle bones, and terminating in a single downturned ring on either branch. These are each fitted with an ovoid, plain strap tab. At the rear, the arch of the heel band finishes in a vertical point which is notched with five nicks on either side at its base, and further decorated with a transversely curved, notched incised band above the base of the integral straight neck of moderate length. The split neck is of triangular section, with a mid-legth, rectangular molding which is incised with trellis-work, and framed by vertical incised lines at either end and center. The terminals are shaped as pierced, blunted cones, and were once fitted with a transverse axle for the rowel. This has twelve points of roughly lozenge section.

Incised decoration on neck and across back of heel. 12-point star rowel with asymmetric central hole, so that the rowel has a normal position of rest; cf. Clark 2004 #360 for a similarly asymmetric example, which is suggested to be the result of heavy use. 2 hook attachments for the spur leathers. The curve of the branches of the spur arc down in the middle to accommodate the ankle.

Excavated condition, with a hard black patina deeply pitted overall. The axle of the rowel is lost except for a short fragment on either side. The hole of the rowel is worn to an oval shape. The rowel is in similar condition to the body of the spur. with wear on the edges ant tips. One of the points is a replacement. The strap tabs have losses on their edges.
Label TextA knight was in many ways defined by his horse: the word chivalry comes from the Latin caballus, “horse.” An aristocratic boy would learn to ride almost as soon as he could walk. By the time he was a teenager and started learning to fight, he was already an accomplished horseman. A pair of golden spurs were traditionally buckled onto the knight as a part of the knighting ceremony. The tin plating on this example would have made it look silver, as well as helping the iron resist corrosion.ProvenanceGeorge L. Maxwell Purchased by John W. Higgins on November 30, 1928 from Anderson Galleries (NY), lot 207. Given to the Museum on July 1, 1954. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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