The very small size of this stirrup indicates that it was made for a young child. Children from wealthy families would start riding lessons as soon as they could sit on a pony, usually around the age of 3. Horsemanship was an important component of European noble society, and children of the elite were expected to master the art of equitation. Moreover, as many nobles served in the cavalry, it was essential for them to be skillful riders by the time they were old enough to go to war.
Credit: Gift of Stephen V. Grancsay, 1942
Second half 17th century
Iron alloy
12.4cm
42.50.433
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection