Silver Chinese Stirrups

A pair of exquisite silver stirrups, characteristic of the styles of China, Mongolia, and Tibet. Their form, which has remained virtually unchanged for centuries, typically features two open-mouthed dragon heads at the base. The central section is open to allow the leather thong to pass through and the stirrup to be attached to the saddle. The oval footrest is decorated in its center with an openwork motif representing a lucky coin. Both stirrups are finely chased: dragons hold a movable iron ball in their mouths, a rare and distinctive feature. The sides are adorned with a radiating symbol, while the base is edged with a continuous rim decorated with a pattern of clouds and lightning bolts.

Both have a silver finish, one being slightly more worn than the other. They are both in good condition. Dating and attribution: As the style of this culture evolved little for centuries, the quality of the carved dragons and the movable iron balls, combined with the wear, allows us to date them very probably to the end of the Qing dynasty.