Pair of Stirrups (<i>Abumi</i>) 1675 - 1825

These iron stirrups, or abumi, were made by Sanemitsu in Japan, sometime between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. Far from the purely functional objects that they seem, these stirrups were painstakingly wrought, chased, and inlaid with silver to create a highly decorative effect. Notice the way the iron has been carefully shaped and then worked with other materials; this elevated the stirrups beyond mere functional objects, to a testament of status. The contrast between the dark iron and the gleaming silver inlay creates a visually appealing surface, while the detailed floral designs and landscapes suggest that they would have been commissioned by someone of high status. When we consider the labor and skill involved in their creation, and the symbolic value they embodied, it challenges our traditional notions of fine art versus craft. It reminds us that even everyday objects can be transformed into artworks through exceptional craftsmanship, and can tell us a great deal about the culture and the social hierarchies of the time.