Traditional wooden stirrups (horse tack)

Description

Traditional wooden stirrups (an element of riding gear) are part of the rider’s set of equipment. This item is handmade from wood. It is attached to the two sides of the saddle using a leather strap. On the top side of the two walls, there are holes for the crossbar, and the spot where the shoe’s sole rests is oval in shape. The artifact is made from bent solid wood, its shape resembling a pear. The lower part, where the foot rests (the stirrup’s sole) is wide and sturdy. The two side bends of the stirrup narrow upward and connect. At the top of the stirrup, there is a rectangular hole for the strap (leather belt). The connection points are secured with wooden pegs and later metal fasteners. The wooden surface shows signs of natural wear and a brown-dark patina (traces of antiquity). Materials: solid hardwood (birch or maple), metal (fastening nails/screws). Manufacturing technology: steam treatment and drying of wood, bending (the art of bending), planing, assembly, surface treatment with oil or special substances. In the culture of nomads, wooden stirrups held great significance. Unlike iron stirrups, wooden products were distinguished by their lightness and, most importantly, their warmth, preventing feet from freezing in winter. This artifact is a striking example of the traditional craft of wood processing (bending) and the art of making horse gear of the Kazakh people.
Date: Late 19th century – early 20th century (1880-1940).