A Pair of Stirrup Irons from Mali

These are from Dogon country, Mali.

The design owes more to Spanish design than to eastern stirrup shapes. They have open work on the side and sport the common design motif the spiral.

They would have been very comfortable for bare foot riding.

They have the emblems of the sun on the side by the shaft holding the leather, and are delightfully ornate.

Size 6” 15 cm across x 4 1/2” 11.5 cm

Provenance: purchased from Harvey Derrien by Private collector 2000 approx value £45