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19TH CENTURY SIOUX RAWHIDE COVERED
SADDLE – EXCELLENT SPECIMEN w/ WELL DOCUMENTED
COLLECTION HISTORY: These early Native American
saddles dating from the 19th Century simply
did not survive in large numbers. Many were
intentionally destroyed by the army during the Indian
Wars along with the horse herds and other captured camp
equipage, as part of the stated policies to deprive the
free roaming native people their means of transportation
and the equipment necessary to maintain their way of
life on the plains. Once confined to the reservations
and agencies, the older style of native saddles were no
longer needed or were no longer practical and were
replaced by the standard contemporary saddles obtained
from the general stores. Hence, surviving specimens of
the 19th Century saddles crafted by the
Plains tribes are fairly scarce and are actively sought
after by today’s collectors.
Based on the style and construction, this specimen is
believed to be Sioux or Lakota in origin, with the
classic high pommel and cantle swells featuring the
dished or concave surface. Constructed of hand carved
wood, the four pieces of the frame – the pommel, cantle
and two side bars – are solid and intact. The face of
the pommel has the classic additional baggage hook
probably made from an antler point. The feather weight
of the wood frame and the parchment like character of
the rawhide both having been well seasoned through the
last 100 plus years, provide ample testimony to this
saddle’s age and authenticity. Measuring 22” long 11”
wide and 11.75” high, the wood frame is covered in very
old light weight rawhide that is sinew sewn on all the
seams. At both the front and rear extensions of both
side bars there are pairs of the proper hand burned
holes for the attachment of the girthing straps. In
overall excellent condition given its age and apparent
use, it is not surprising that this scarce relic of the
Lakota horse culture does show some signs of age. The
rawhide thongs attaching the pommel arc to the left side
bar have separated, and while the rawhide covering has
drawn back from the forward edge of the side bar, the
rawhide still holds the pommel in position and the
saddle retains its shape with no danger of further
separation or loss of integrity. The seams along the
sides of the upper portion of the pommel have separated
with no loss of wood or rawhide, and as you can see from
the photos, this does not detract from the presentation
of the saddle. There is some wear to the edge of the
rawhide at the rear extension of the left side bar, but
again with no loss of appearance or structural integrity
and this does not detract from the overall appearance of
this piece.
The collection history of this piece is well documented
as part of the well known Howard Greene collection.
This saddle was pictured in a photograph of Greene’s
collection published in the American Society of Arms
Collectors Bulletin No. 17, page 23, in the Spring,
1968 edition and shown again in Who’s Who in Indian
Relics No. 7, page 108, published in 1988 in a
photo essay featuring Greene’s collection. This sort
of photographic evidence documenting the existence of
this saddle almost 40 years ago provides the reassurance
collectors look for to establish some history for this
type of artifact.
This unique piece would stand alone solely on the basis
of its value as a testament to an important people in
the history of the Western United States, and as a
graceful piece of Native American art. Included in a
collection of US military saddles or Indian War period
accoutrements and weapons, this saddle would be a
poignant contrasting addition to your display. I sought
such a saddle for many years to add to my saddle
collection and the Cheyenne saddle that now resides with
my military saddles is the first piece of horse
equipment that visitors notice. I cannot emphasize how
difficult these saddles are to find, particularly in
this nice condition, and when they are available, they
often command prices several times that of this piece.
I was fortunate to obtain this excellent example so that
I can offer it at a very competitive price. $2750
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