North America, Southwestern United States or Mexico, Spanish Colonial Period, ca. early 18th century CE. A handsome and large iron estribos de cruz stirrup with low relief designs of scrolling foliate with flowers, lions or dogs, birds, and vines. This stirrup has an unusual cruciform shape, with a foot hole in the center, and two elongated flaps that point downward. A loop at the top attaches the stirrup to the saddle. This is overly elaborate and quite heavy for such a simple part of horse tack, but these stirrups were preferred by rancheros and calvary soldiers to highlight their elite status, since horses were a luxury that few could afford. Eventually these stirrups were banned, and many were destroyed by Spanish officials since they posed a danger to bystanders and the cross shape was sacrilegious! A fine example that thankfully escaped being destroyed or repurposed! Size: 9" L x 14.75" H (22.9 cm x 37.5 cm)

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection; former Taylor Tomlin collection, Mineral, Texas, USA; former Ned Martin collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#160361

Single stirrup. Loss to lower left corner. Perforations to foot plate. Softening of details. Stable fissures and cracking along lower bars. Heavy russet patina.