January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
Impressive and very showy unmarked 39” long wide batwings with card suit silver concho borders plus four prominent heart, club, spade and diamond leather overlaid medallions down each wing surrounded by 5/8” round domed conchos. The medallions were originally painted but the color has faded over the many years. All silver work attributed to Phillip Fredholm (1897-1970), whose beautifully executed engraving is reminiscent of his early days with the Bohlin Company. Billet is adorned with dozens of small silver domed conchos and attached to the belt via a 2 1/4” x 2 1/8” engraved stylized buckle. Each wing features five 1 3/4” scalloped round silver conchos with raised berries and seven 1 1/8” square conchos with raised floral centers. Two small conchos are missing but otherwise the chaps are in fine overall condition.
Phillip Fredholm was Edward H. Bohlin’s premier craftsman and one of the finest silversmiths of the Hollywood cowboy golden age. Fredholm was also a master tool and die maker who is credited with making the top-of-the-line designs for Bohlin’s buckles and conchos in the late 1920s and 1930s. Known to have created Bohlin’s famous Mission saddle, which depicted California’s various historical missions in solid silver and hand chased in bold relief. Phillip originally worked for the legendary Mike Morales when he moved from Portland to Los Angeles and set up his shop at 2213 Sunset Blvd in the late 1920s. After Morales’ death in 1934, Phillip opened his own shop where he created some of his finest work including many prize-winning silver saddles.
Provenance: High Noon Collection, Los Angeles, California
Item Dimensions: 39" W.