18th c. Spanish Colonial Silver Santo Stirrups, Ex Voto

These beautiful silver stirrups once adorned a large Saint James Santo (Santiago Matamoros) in a church in Bolivia. The rich silver mines of Potosí provided the Spanish colony with the means to transform church offerings or ex votos, into small works of art. 19th century ex votos, or milagros, were frequently melted down by the church for the silver, however these treasures were somehow spared. The heavy stirrups have been cast from very high content silver and engraved with the names of the donors. A ribbon or chain would have once passed through the top loops to secure the stirrups to Santiago Matamoros who is usually depicted riding a white stallion. The detailing on these stirrups is wonderful with traditional Spanish colonial elements. These are truly a rare treasure for any Spanish colonial collection!

Measurement: approx. 3 3/4" high, 2 1/2" long, 2 1/2" wide, 175.8 grams

#22908     $2900