Pair of Stirrups

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This gilded pair of stirrups, decorated with rococo designs, is an early form of the typical 'bell stirrups' (estribos campana), a type that would become particularly popular in Argentina from the 19th century onwards. Such stirrups were introduced in South America through Jesuit missions in the 18th century.

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