Large Stirrup-cross – Viceroyalty Of New Spain, Mexico, 18th Century

LARGE CROSS-STYLE STIRRUP – VICEROYALTY OF NEW SPAIN
Mexico, 18th century
Iron
H.: 52.5 - W.: 33.5 cm

Large cross-shaped stirrup (“estribos de cruz”), made of iron, with chiseled decoration featuring a collection of animals and grotesque figures on openwork floral motifs. In the center, at the level of the small stirrup, is a figure with one eye open and the other closed.
Beneath the footrest, fantastical sea creatures gaze up at the decoration on the large stirrups.
The design is repeated on each side.

A pair of stirrups with a similar design, likely created by the same artist, is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. 08.56.11). These large Mexican stirrups, a symbol of social status like other equestrian objects of this period—such as spurs—were particularly popular in the 18th century, to the point that they had to be officially banned for soldiers in 1772, and then to everyone in 1778, due to the danger they posed to nearby pedestrians.

Description loosely based on lot 103 from the Philippe Missillier auction on March 6, 2025, conducted by GIQUELOT

Good condition, surface corrosion.

Ref.: LP7408

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON