A Pair of Long Black Iron Stirrups

This pair of stirrup irons were made by the people of the Bamana tribe in Mali.

They appear, by design, to have made for barefoot riding.

The base of the stirrup is wide and long and curved and would sit comfortable in the instep of a shoeless foot.

The are made from black iron. Their shape proves the diversity of design and an unerring ability to create new shapes for an old job. They have some age to them certainly 100 years.

Width 4” (10 cm) height 6” (15 cm) length 6 1/2” (16.5 cm).

Provenance: purchased from Harvey Derrien by Private collector May 2008. Approx value £40