Pair of silver and gold stirrups.

Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Late 19th or early 20th century.

Important pair of stirrups, crown type. Chiseled and cast silver, with applied flowers and monogram with the initials of its original owner -“G. A. L.”-, made in “18K ”gold, as indicated by a punch applied below. It has its rawhide belts enriched with round silver pins, with three smooth ferrules. Measurements. Height: 15.5 cm / 6.1 in. Opening: 9.5 cm / 3.74 in. Weight (of the pair with its footpegs): 1600 gr.

Its arch, fused and smooth, where remains of the silversmith's mark can be seen, hitherto unidentified -it begins with "R." and with a surname of four or five letters, which concludes “ON”-, it presents a sober decorative detail at its ends. The eye, smooth and transverse. With its hollow or tread, also smooth -without grooves-, which derives from its characteristic skirt with wavy lower edges, and on its wall, a chiseled detail of leaves and flowers, these applied in cut and chiseled gold; in addition to the monogram with the initials of membership.

This variant of the Creole stirrups spread in the Buenos Aires region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its name arose from a classification made by Dr. Fernando Romero Carranza. With a thick arch and with a smooth curvature resembling an S, its footprint is narrow and the skirt is decorated with phytomorphic designs, initials shields or soft chiseled ornamentation. They were widely used with the saddle of skirts. (1)

Notes:

1. Javier and José Eguiguren: River Plate equestrian silverware. Buenos Aires, Eguiguren editions, 2014, p. 244.

S.O.VIII