These shoe shaped stirrups are made of brass with a dark patina. They come from South America. They are known as "Conquistador" stirrups, but they actually date from the 19th or early 20th Century. The shape would protect the rider's feet from injury. They are quite plain with engraved "strap" decoration, and later primitive engraved scallop patterns. There is one round drainage hole in the base of each stirrup. One stirrup has splashes of verdigiris or oxidation. They were working tools, not tourist souvenirs, they have been much used, the suspension arches show wear, there is a hole in the toe of one and a split in the edge of the sole of the other.
