Advanced Search 
Ornament in the form of a lady's stirrup (Estribo)
Woman's stirrup (estribo)
Ornament in the form of a lady's stirrup (Estribo)
1850–1900
Object Place: South America
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 9.4 x 9.8 x 21.6 cm (3 11/16 x 3 7/8 x 8 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Ellen Graves, Mrs. Samuel Cabot and Mrs. Roger Ernst in memory of their father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Edmund P. Graves
Accession Number41.354a-b
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsSilver
The origin of this form, a so-called lady’s stirrup, is unclear, although apparently such objects were made in great quantities and variety during the mid- to late nineteenth century. The stirrup has a functioning arch and eye that enable it to pivot and hang. Such forms are rarely found in pairs, leading some scholars to argue that women who rode sidesaddle had need of only one stirrup. Nevertheless, this example and most others show no wear, and the small size precluded the use of a shoe. Rather than being a functional form, it was probably an elegantly worked souvenir, keepsake, or talisman.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
DescriptionThe square-toe shoe has filigree floral decoration across the front; a long-stemmed flower on the sole sports a jagged engraved border; the workable arch and eye for stirrup feature cast and chased leafy ornament.
Marks
None.
InscriptionsNone.
ProvenanceCollected in Buenos Aires, Argentina, by Mr. and Mrs. Edmund P. Graves between 1898 and 1913.