Rowel Spur second half 18th - early 19th century Mexican This spur, inlaid with silver, was made for a Mexican charro (the Mexican cowboy). Its neck is shaped as a serpent or an eel, the tail of which holding an elaborated pierced rowel. The top edge of the heel band is adorned with silver-inlaid serpents and pierced on the sides with a frieze of volutes. Charros were originally land, horse and cattle owners who had an high social and economical status. They would meet during ceremonies and festivals and demonstrate their skills through several kind of rodeo games called charrería. Charros and charrería are still an important part of Mexican traditional culture, and horses are a central aspect of it. During these festive events, charros like to display splendidly decorated horse tack and spurs, the latter being one of the main symbols of their culture.. Rowel Spur. Mexican. second half 18th - early 19th century. Iron, silver. Equestrian Equipment-Spurs