A pair of polished steel spurs with 49 six inch diameter rowels (or spikes) is included in the Charterhouse auction in Sherborne on Friday 18th April.

“We often come across the weird and wonderful in our business and these certainly fit into this box.” Commented Richard Bromell. “The spurs, resplendent in polished steel and with floral and pierced decoration would have been used for ceremonial rather than sporting or military purposes and were never intended to harm the horse, just to make the rider look more glamorous!”

The earliest spurs were made of wood or bone, with the first recorded metal examples being simple bronze spurs found in Etruscan tombs from the 2nd Century BC. Spurs have changed design many times trough the centuries and soon became associated with rank and chivalry, and we often speak of “earning one’s spurs” – a disgraced knight would have his sword and spurs broken as part of his punishment.

The spurs in the Charterhouse auction date to the end of the 19th Century, were made in Chile and are estimated at £500-800.

For further information regarding this April 18th auction of nearly 1,200 lots of sporting items, ceramics, pictures and furniture, please contact Richard Bromell, Partner, at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne 01935 812277 or through their web site where you can view the catalogue

www.charterhouse-auctions.co.uk

Charterhouse is now accepting entries for their May auction of silver, jewellery, wine, port an antiques. To arrange a free home visit throughout the West Country, contact Richard Bromell at Charterhouse in Sherborne 01935 812277.

Posted: 04|7|08 at 8:26 pm. Filed under: News.