Spoor, bestaande uit een u-vormige band van koper, waaraan een staaf met tandwiel Possibly 1913 - 1917

This pair of copper spurs was made by an anonymous artist. Spurs are a potent symbol, aren’t they? They speak of mastery, control, and a particular relationship between humans and animals. But look closer. The U-shaped band and the small, toothed wheel reveal a complex history of labor and social class. Perhaps these spurs were made for a gentleman rider, a symbol of leisure and status. Or maybe they were tools for a working cowboy, essential for managing livestock in the vast open ranges of the Americas. Without knowing the precise time and place of their making, we can only speculate. But by studying historical records, material culture, and even literature, we can begin to understand the social conditions that gave rise to these humble objects and the values they represent. The historian's work lies in uncovering these hidden meanings, reminding us that even the simplest objects can tell complex stories about power, identity, and the human experience.