Pair Of Stirrups. Carved Wood, Iron. Chile, 18th Century.

Pair of stirrups. Carved wood, iron. Chile, 18th century.
Pair of stirrups composed of a carved wooden block, half-moon shaped on the front, and decorated on the outside with geometric and plant elements, and an iron surround. As metal was reserved for other uses during the 18th century, wood began to be used more frequently to make stirrups in Chile. The shape of the current pair, which follows a common typology at the time, seems to be derived from Asturian pieces, preferred over metal stirrups to protect them from water, branches, etc., and the artisanal development carried out mainly by the Jesuits in the region is the origin of this type of sculpture and decoration, which survives to this day. -
Size: 16x20x17 cm