Chinese Stirrup Iron

This stirrup iron is similar to the Tibetian one, it has a similar has a raised edge on the circular foot plate and is not iron decorated with brass, but wholly brass which has been etched or engraved with a pattern, except for the foot plate. At to its age it is difficult to tell. The Tibetian stirrup irons were possibly 400 years old. This one could be of similar age. As the saddle wore out and the leather and silk wore the iron did not. So often bits and stirrups irons were handed on from father to son. Nothing was thrown away.  I only found one of these at auction.  It is beautiful artefact and is heavy. The is a lot of iron in it and irion was valuable.

Purchased from Crow’s Auction Sales Dorking.