Relics of the American West: 1850-1920
Lot 2175:
Description
This remarkable piece of utilitarian art is a hand-carved wood saddle, attributed to the Apache people and dating to the 1800s or possibly earlier. Expertly crafted from only four primary pieces of wood, it showcases the ingenious “make-do” engineering of the American Frontier, featuring traditional bent-wood construction and structural stability maintained by old wire and cord repairs. The wood exhibits a deep, honey-colored patina and heavy weathering consistent with authentic field use and significant age. This saddle represents a rare surviving example of indigenous horse gear, likely collected in the Apache Junction, Arizona area. Overall, it remains in sturdy, stable condition with visible cracking, significant wood loss, and historic repairs that contribute to its “museum piece” character. H 12.5″, W 12″, D 17″. Please see photos for condition.
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