Footwear, spurs and parts of a saddle: horseman material culture in Muscovy XVI-XVII centuries
This article discusses the importance of the 'footwear-spurs-stirrups' set to form riders' appearance in in the Muscovite State across XVI-XVII centuries. Ceremonial outfit and horse trappings used in the palatial ceremonies of the respective period is comprehensively considered. These items were particularly splendid, being the works of the best masters of applied arts. The study is primarily based on the real ware items of XVI-XVII centuries from exposition collections of Russian museums (the Hermitage, the Armory, and the State Historical Museum), state-owned and personal property records as well as pictorial and narrative sources of the same historical period. We have analyzed the history of studying the issue that is deemed widely studied; although the background is well-studied, there are certain gaps in studying. The subject of the respective study belongs to Russian Medieval History, Military History, and History of Material and Artistic Culture. The research objective is determined as the specification of the set of material culture items forming riders' appearance in Russian palatial culture. In order to achieve the intended objective, we have analyzed a multiple of items limited by royal and courtier circle represented by court boyars, princes, as well as the personnel of elite cavalry regiments. Among the number of items the 'footwear-spurs-stirrups' set is the most essential being matter of primary importance for a rider. Researchers have highlighted the importance of these items many times. They not only affect the equitation but also save life of a rider in military context. The items of the set above are characterized. The most common cases and exclusions are identified; materials, manners of making, and artistic solutions are considered. The sources of ceremonial outfit supply and horse trappings to the royal courtyard are identified. The primary ones are supplies from royal workshops, ambassadorial gifts, and special purchases. The activities of the workshops subordinate to Silver Chamber (Serebryannaya Palata), Stable Office (Konyushenniy Prikaz) and Stable Treasury (Konyushennaya Kazna) are highlighted. The specialties of riders' outfit and horse trappings in Europe, Middle and Far East are considered. The usage features due to locally prevailed constructions and conventions are described. Summing up the results of the work, ceremonial outfit and horse trappings that was common in Russian palatial lifestyle, in all its diversity, primarily served to form the appearance of a powerful ruler.