Pair of Rowel Spurs 1625 - 1700

Curator: Here we have a pair of rowel spurs, crafted sometime between 1625 and 1700. The spurs, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offer an exquisite example of metalwork from that period. Editor: The detailing is so delicate, it is hard to believe these were objects of utility, for directing a horse. The stars give them a certain celestial air, don't you think? Almost like emblems fallen from the night sky. Curator: Yes, consider the linear progressions, the way the gentle curve of the heel band resolves into the sharp points of the rowel. Then there’s the intricate floral detailing, counterposed against the pure, unadorned metal. Editor: That floral work certainly speaks to the enduring symbolism of nature—a tamed wildness, reflecting perhaps the rider’s mastery. And the recurring star motif, quite common in heraldry and chivalric orders, what does that suggest? Curator: Precisely. Stars signify guidance, aspiration, maybe even a touch of the divine right. It reflects the hierarchical society of the time, where status was proclaimed through dress and accessory. These were no ordinary spurs, but rather bold assertions of the owner's elevated station. Note too, if you will, the meticulous enamel work which seems designed less for equestrian activities and more for courtly display. Editor: Right! I think these spurs speak volumes about the psychological projection onto objects and the use of potent symbols, such as celestial entities or plants, in this instance. They mirror not only an individual’s, but an era’s longings. Curator: So true; looking closer I am interested to discover the articulation of form, where geometry, utility, and ornamentation meet to signify something much greater than simply their function. Editor: Absolutely! Thinking of all this helps me look with fresh eyes into historical meaning-making!