Antique Turkmen Horse Saddle

Details

Description

Rare antique 18th/19th century islamic wooden horses saddle from uzbekistan or turkmenistan.

here's a wooden horse saddle from uzbekistan / … Read more Rare antique 18th/19th century islamic wooden horses saddle from uzbekistan or turkmenistan.

here's a wooden horse saddle from uzbekistan / turkmenistan.
the wood has been painted and overall golden , (both decorative and reinforcing, at points of wear) with traces of green, white and black floral detailing.
the hard wooden saddle with its high pommel, was designed to take the wound reins as the rider stood in his stirrups with his hands free. This allowed him to shoot arrows whilst gallopping, even turning to shoot backwards, when doing the classic mongol "feigned retreatâ? manouvre that won so many battles against much larger armies.
it wouldn't have been very comfortable for either horse or rider, but comes from a culture geared towards weaving and felting so saddle cloths would be well made, although it's said the tatars put meat under their saddles to tenderize it (steak tatare !)
the metal rings and fittings have a very hand forged beaten feel and have now acquired a dark patina with very little rust evident.
there is a good example of one of these saddles illustrated in "central asian artâ? a wooden saddle in bukhara museum, however it's in better condition.
for the turkoman horse breeder or museum,

age: 18th/19th century.
size: l 48 cm x w 38 cm x h 27 cm
weight: 3 kg
condition:restored (see the pictures) See less