This long oak riding crop has remnants of brown leather on the handle, with a band of silver at the bottom and another band of silver separating the handle from the rest of the crop. The crop has a coil design carved into the wood, and it becomes thinner towards the end opposite the handle. An oval leather tongue, called a keeper, at the end of the crop prevents the horses skin from being marked when coming in contact with the crop.
American
Riding Crop,
19th century
Oak with leather handle and silver bands
,
78.1 x 2.2 cm (30 3/4 x 7/8 in.)
Object details
Accession number
U11s1
Primary Creator
American
Full title
Riding Crop
Creation Date
19th century
Provenance
Entered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Dimensions
78.1 x 2.2 cm (30 3/4 x 7/8 in.)
Display Media
Oak with leather handle and silver bands
Web Commentary
Riding crops are used by equestrians to control their horses. This one belonged to Isabella Stewart Gardner, who learned how to ride horses as a child, and maintained a lifelong enthusiasm for equestrianism in multiple forms. She owned a racehorse named Halton, and included a charitable donation to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in honor of three horses in her will.
Permanent Gallery Location
Macknight Room
Rights and reproductions
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Riding crops are used by equestrians to control their horses. This one belonged to Isabella Stewart Gardner, who learned how to ride horses as a child, and maintained a lifelong enthusiasm for equestrianism in multiple forms. She owned a racehorse named Halton, and included a charitable donation to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in honor of three horses in her will.