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Pricked Spur
1200s
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
The spur was an essential part of the knight's equipment. Fastened to his heels by means of straps and buckles, it was used to prod a horse into action. This example represents the oldest type recorded, the "pricked" spur, so-called because its neck terminated in a spike. The pricked spur was replaced during the Middle Ages by the "rowel" spur, with a rotating spiked wheel.
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Details
- Title: Pricked Spur
- Date Created: 1200s
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 11.1 x 7.7 cm (4 3/8 x 3 1/16 in.)
- Provenance: Frank Gair Macomber; Boston, MA, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- Type: Arms and Armor
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1916.1611
- Medium: steel
- Fun Fact: A knight’s status was closely related to his horse; as a result spurs became a symbol of chivalry and could be given as a token during a knighting.
- Department: Medieval Art
- Culture: Spain, 13th century
- Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Severance
- Collection: MED - Arms & Armor
- Accession Number: 1916.1611
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