"Rowel" Spur

Cultureprobably Colonial Mexican

Date1800s

Mediumiron

Dimensions14cm L x 8.5cm W; 4 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.993

DescriptionIron with incised and chiseled decoration throughout. Crude, U-shaped heel plate of rectangular section, cut into panels each cut with a lozenge-shape decoration. Branches are straight, with oblong terminals having 2 slots. The lower of each has a sheet-iron roller & that above, a slightly domed iron stud for strap. Heel plate has an oblate swelling at base of neck. This is cut as lizard-like, crude beast, & has lobated terminal with large rowel. This has 28 close-set, blunted points of square section.
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.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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