Rowel Spur (Left)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The neck of this spur, holding the rowel, is decorated with pierced vegetal scrolls and a small bird in relief at the junction with the heel. The outer side of the heel band, on the left, is carved with a pierced diamond-shaped niche in which an animal is seated, possibly a monkey, holding a fruit in its hands. While the pierced decoration is influenced by the importation, via Spain, of horse equipment made in Southern Germany in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as by Chinese textiles, 18th-century Mexican spurs like this example, in addition to bits and stirrups, often feature native designs and animals, such as birds, dogs, and monkeys. Although less impressive than some oversized contemporary examples, this spur and its lost mate would have probably been used during ceremonies and festivals as a mark of status, speaking to the importance of horses in traditional Mexican society.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art