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N. Porter Silver and Gold Parade Saddle and Matching Spurs

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana / Tack - Saddles Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
N. Porter Silver and Gold Parade Saddle and Matching Spurs
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N. Porter Silver and Gold Parade Saddle and Matching Spurs. ?N. Porter - Phoenix, Arizona - “The Masterpiece,” dazzling silver and gold parade saddle set with spurs. Unequaled in the 130 year history of the illustrious Arizona Saddlery, this leather, silver and gold master work was Porter’s attempt to compete with the legendary and opulent John McCabe (Hollywood) parade saddle (made for Mrs. H. L. Musicks and later acquired and exhibited by Roy Rogers in the 1950s). Porter first offered fancy parade saddles in 1928, soon after Edward. H. Bohlin popularized the affluent equestrian gear. The Porter catalog No. 15 pictures a noteworthy silver mounted model (#4000) made for a wealthy client in Philadelphia with heavy gauge rope-edge cantle and gullet plus silver filigreed corner plates, conchos and matching bridle and breast collar. Their description states that “should you be in the market for a saddle like this. give us a chance to figure with you.”. Here then, is the result. A splendid black floral carved N. Porter sterling and gold longhorn & horsehead mounted parade saddle with matching bridle, oversized breast collar, 22” long tapaderos. Also included are a remarkable pair of Jose Figueroa California parade spurs. The saddle is double maker-marked "N. Porter Co / Ariz" and is lavishly adorned with heavy gauge sterling and gold and hexagon conchos in figural, floral, diamond and half-diamond shapes and sizes -- many with gold nipples -- with raised gold horseheads and longhorns. The 13” seat features the original stylish tan quilted and decoratively stitched seat pad. The swells are encased in engraved silver caps and the cantle and gullet are fully silvered with beefy twisted rope edge. The exquisitely filigreed 4 ½” high cantle back is second-to-none. The saddle sits on a custom form-fitting black and white wool corona. The matching bridle mountings replicate the elegant saddle adornments with the addition of multiple 3-piece buckle sets plus silver ferruled reins with heavy silver slider, attached to a Bohlinmade and marked Hollywood bit with silver and gold rope edge horsehead conchos on each cheek. The massive matching breast collar makes a visual “sampler” of just about every gold and silver mounting on both the saddle and bridle. The opulent unmarked Jose Figueroa (1880-1951) parade spurs with sterling and rose gold mountings feature intricate 2 3/4" silver overlaid filigreed rowels. The spurs feature a stylized Cheyenne heelband, 2 1/4" lower round concho with rope edge, and a central three-dimensional sold gold longhorn. The top band has a floral V-shaped motif. The shank style and engraving is virtually identical to Bit No. 422 pictured in the early Bohlin Catalog and made by Jose Figueroa of Los Angeles. The lavish matching two-piece spur straps include buckle sets and mountings with matching, heavy gauge sterling and gold conchos. The off-side's rowels and shanks are identical but the bands have the raised initials WMR in 1 1/4" silver letters. The overall condition of the complete ensemble is very good with light age cracking in some areas and one missing concho. Some repaired damage to the silver on the bridle, ?and slight discoloration to the seat. All wear is expected of a parade saddle of this caliber.