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19TH CENTURY CHEYENNE INDIAN SADDLE –
EXCELLENT SPECIMEN: These early Native American
saddles dating from the 19th Century simply
did not survive in large numbers.
Given their intended
use, the method and materials used in construction, and
the environment in which they were used, the true early
19th Century Native American Saddles are not found in
any significant numbers and those that do exist often
present in relic condition.
Many of the saddles were intentionally destroyed by the
army during the Indian Wars, along with the horse herds
and other captured camp equipage in compliance 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.
This was particularly true insofar as it involved the
Cheyenne, as they suffered significant loss of their
material culture very early in the post-Civil War
years.
Once confined to the reservations and agencies, these
older styles of native saddles were no longer needed or
were no longer practical to make or use, and were
replaced by the standard contemporary saddles
manufactured by the commercial saddleries and obtained
from the general stores. Hence, surviving specimens of
these 19th Century saddles crafted by the
Plains tribes in the traditional fashion are fairly
scarce and are actively sought after by today’s
collectors.
This is a
particularly nice example of a Cheyenne Saddle - one of
the more classic designs originating on the Northern
Plains, and almost iconic in its shape and design. Constructed
of hand fashioned wood, the four pieces of the frame –
the pommel, cantle and two side bars – are solid and
intact, and the face of the pommel has the classic
additional baggage hook. Measuring
20 ˝” long across the
top flats and 16 ˝” along the side bars, the pommel is
11 ˝” high and the cantle is 10 ˝” high. The seat
measures 11” between the two uprights.
The frame is
very solid with no loose joints. The
wood frame is covered in very old light weight rawhide
that is sinew sewn on all the seams.
The rawhide covering
is in excellent condition on the outer/upper surfaces
with all the seams intact. The crests of the pommel and
cantle have the very desirable decoration with rows of
brass tacks. I was able to ease out one of the tacks
and they are the early cast brass tacks with the
integral square shanks. The majority of the tacks are
still present and intact, with seven tacks having been
lost from the pommel where the most wear would have
occurred from the rider resting his or her hands. The
brass tacks have a nice evenly aged natural patina and
are definitely original to the period of use of the
saddle. The edges of the pommel and cantle were further
decorated with native tanned buckskin fringe where it
was inserted into the seams as they were sewn closed.
Much of the fringe has worn away with time and use, but
enough of the fringe remains to further affirm that this
saddle conforms to design and decoration of Cheyenne
saddles.
At both the front and rear extensions of both side bars
there are pairs of the properly hand burned holes for
the attachment of the girthing straps.
Given its age and apparent use, it is not surprising
that this remnant of the Cheyenne horse culture does
show some signs of age.
There is a limited separation of one of the seams on the
under side of the rear of the left side bar. The other
underside seams are otherwise stable. This separation
has not weakened the integrity of the saddle, nor does
it detract from the overall appearance of this piece.
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.
On its own merit, this unique piece stands as a
testament to the historic Native Horse Cultures of the
Western Plains, and it presents very well as a
spectacular example of
pure Native American sculpture.
Included in a collection of US military saddles or
Indian War period accoutrements and weapons, this saddle
would be a poignant addition to your display. I sought
such a saddle for many years to add to my 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 the price of this
piece. I was fortunate to obtain this excellent example
and to be able to offer it at a very reasonable price.
SOLD
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