The text panel accompanying the plate states:
PLATE XV.
ONE of a pair of Stirrups of the end of the 15th or commencement of the 16th century, of most elaborate workmanship. It is of iron, thickly plated with silver, parcel gilt; the sides are semi-circular, connected at the top by a bar on which is a loop, and at the bottom by a flat piece for the foot of the rider; on each side are inserted two plaques of silver of triangular shape, fastened by silver rivets, and ornamented with niello of the highest style of art, in scrolls and arabesques, all the plaques differing in pattern; these are separated by a central band and wide border, with exquisite translucent cloisonne enamels on gold, divided into compartments, in which are repeated the device of a true lover's knot, between crests of two white feathers tied together; the ground is filled in with stems and small quatrefoils in opaque white on translucent enamel. On the inside, the ornaments are engraved or pounced with the Gothic capital M, a fleur-de-lis, and feathers in gold on silver.
We may hazard a conjecture that these stirrups belonged to one of the Medici family, and from the device of the feathers and the fleur-de-lis that they were actually used by Lorenzo il Magnifico. They are in extraordinary preservation, and their form agrees with representations in MSS. of the time. Milanese work.
From the collection of W. H. Forman, Esq.
This is part of the Volume: AL2029 Album of photographs of archaeological finds displayed at the National Exhibition of Works of Art at Leeds in 1868; within the Collection: WXC01 Photographically illustrated book written by William Chaffers of archaeological finds displayed at an exhibition in Leeds in 1868
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Cundall & Fleming
Archaeology, Art And Design, Exhibition
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