SOLD
22,500.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2018 Jan 20 @ 18:50UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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A full invoice should be emailed to the winner by the auctioneer within a day or two.
Contact Brian Lebel's Old West Events prior to bidding if you have a lot inquiry.
Catalogs can be purchased by visiting: oldwestevents.com/catalogs
Important collection of four Duff Severe salesman sample size display saddles. True half-scale saddles by the contemporary American master braider, leather tooler and saddlemaker. Four models are represented, complete with custom stands and lighted display case. All from the 1980s exhibition of the collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
Large, tooled leather title plaque mounted inside the display case is inscribed in ink:
"There are four Basic Types of Western Saddles
* The Old Mexican Slick Fork * The American Bronc or Ass'n * The Form Fitter * The Roper
All other Western Saddles are modifications of these four basic styles / handcrafted by Severe Brothers - Pendleton, Oregon - 1981"
Two smaller leather plaques are mounted on either side, reading, "Construction time 800 hours" and "All braids and laces are genuine rawhide; hand-cut and hand-colored."
Each saddle bears the cartouche, "SEVERE BROTHERS / PENDLETON, OREGON / RAWHIDE / QUALITY / S" on the center of the seat. Each saddle is on a custom leather-covered saddle stand, hand tooled, titled in black, with 3-stepped base with a braided rawhide ring on the center pole. There are two additional leather covered risers.
The original wood showcase is lined in tufted leather, lighted and measures 48" tall x 68" wide and 24" deep.
Also included in the lot is Duff's own half-scale, hand-built saddle pony (or makers draw-down stand). Built just as a full size stand, with padded leather top, wood base and steel hardware, it is 19" tall and 11" long. A great and collectable piece on its own. (Images of all pieces are available online).
Exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
Provenance: From the Severe family.
a) Form Fitter - the classic Hamley saddle favored by rodeo cowboys. 6 3/4" seat and 2 1/4" cantle, natural rawhide braided borders and horn wrap. 7 1/2" sweeping swells, engraved silver slotted conchos. Numbered 2427 on the back of the cantle.
b) American Bronc - oak leaf tooling, rope edged cantle and gullet, leather rosettes under the 6 strings and tooled leather covered oxbow stirrups. 7 1/2" seat and 2 1/2" cantle. Numbered 2415.
c) Roper - black dyed rawhide borders and star designs. Rings attached with engraved silver conchos for the strings. 7 1/2" seat, low Cheyenne roll cantle. Numbered 2418.
d) Old Mexican – two-tone saddle with floral carving in brown over a dyed red stippled background. Natural rawhide braided borders, full double rigged. Rope edges gullet and cantle. 6 1/2" seat. Numbered 2423.
Duff Severe is known throughout the world as a master leather worker. He was a world renowned saddler, especially known for his work in perfecting rodeo contest Bronc Saddles. A majority of World Champions, from Casey Tibbs to the present, have ridden saddles made by Duff Severe of Pendleton, Oregon.
During World War II, Duff served in the Navy and was stationed in the San Francisco Bay area, not far from the saddle shop of Luis Ortega. Duff spent his free time watching Ortega work, then returning to the base to practice what he observed Ortega doing. In 1946, he apprenticed himself to the Hamley Saddle Company, where he spent 10 years learning his trade before going into business with his brother Bill, who had also worked at Hamley. Bill learned to build the trees, and Duff specialized in making the saddle on the tree.
Host and proprietor of the Severe Brothers "Hotel de Cowpunch" since 1948, this friend of the rodeo cowboy hosted hundreds of cowboys, from champions to rookies, at no cost, and occasionally was known to join in some good cowboy music on an old Martin guitar.
In 1982, Duff was one of the 15 original master craftsmen named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment for the Arts, marking him as one of "America's Living Treasures." His leather and rawhide art has been exhibited and has traveled with the Smithsonian Institution Exhibition more times than any other artist in his field.
In 1991, Duff was featured in National Geographic Magazine and TV "Explorer" articles on his life and leather achievements.
In 1992, Duff was inducted into the Pendleton Round-Up Hall of Fame. His efforts and influence on behalf of cowboys and rodeo, as well as many years dedication to producing fine trophy saddles, inspired this honor.
Duff Severe passed away in 2004 at the age of 84. He received a National Heritage Award for his unique artistry in making utilitarian and miniature saddles. He and his brother Bill both have saddles in the Smithsonian Institution’s collection; and both passed on the tradition and their skills to their sons and nephews who now run the saddlery.
Sources: www.severebrothers.com; www.rexburgstandardjournal.com; www.arts.gov/honors/heritage/fellows/duff-severe
If you are interested in Duff Severe and his work, there are a number of great resources on the Internet. Of particular interest is the website for the Master of Traditional Arts, which focuses on the work of recipients of the National Heritage Fellowship: www.mastersoftraditionalarts.org. Included in their profile of Duff Severe are wonderful sound recordings of Duff, both interviews and speeches, in which he discusses his life and his craft.
Auction Location:
200 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona, 85201, United States
Previewing Details:
Friday, January 19: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, January 20: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Phoenix Marriott Mesa
200 N. Centennial Way
Mesa, AZ 85201
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| AZ |
8.05% |
Mesa |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
21% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Invoices will be sent by Monday night, January 22nd.
Buyer is responsible for all packing and shipping fees. All items will ship from Santa Fe, NM and no items will be shipped prior to January 24th.
One of two methods will occur depending on volume and size of items purchased.
a) If small, single items, as a courtesy to our buyers, we will ship items using USPS. Insurance and a modest packing fee will be assessed. It is the auction house's discretion as to what is suitable for this method. NO ART or firearms will ship via this method. Firearms will ship in accordance with Federal regulations.
b) Shipping will be billed and paid for separately through a third party shipper in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Items will be released for shipping after full payment is received. The shipper (UPS Store) will contact you to arrange payment.
Winning purchases may be picked up from the auction location on Sunday, January 21st from 10:00am until noon. After which items will prepared for transit back to New Mexico. Items are shipped in the order payment is received, with bidders in attendance taking precedence.
Alternatively, items may be picked up from our office in Santa Fe, however, due to tax laws, state sales tax must be collected.
Any purchases for which shipping has not been consummated within 60 days after payment has been received by Auction House, shall be considered abandoned and will become the property of the Auction House as a means to recoup storage and insurance fees.
Payment Details:
Your credit card will be charged on Wednesday, January 24th. By registering online for this auction, the buyer agrees to and allows the auction house to charge their credit card providing during online registration.
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Our catalog, as may be amended by posted or oral salesroom announcements, represents the entire agreement with any and all Purchasers of the property listed herein. The following procedures, terms and conditions apply to all such property offered for sale by the Auction as agent for the Owners/Consignors.
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