June 22, 2024 Brian Lebel's Santa Fe Old West Events Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/22/2024
Debuting in Bohlin's 1951 shop catalog with an astronomical price well over $5000, this iconic and regal parade saddle is 100% original and was made for Dominic Bressi (1903-1977), a prosperous road contractor from San Luis Obispo, whose name appears on the seat plate and gold initials "DB" on the back of the cantle. The black, floral carved saddle is made on a Miles City tree, with 14" swells and a 4" silvered cantle. It is heavily adorned with heavy gauge Bohlinmade diamond and half-diamond conchos and includes a raised buffalo head on the solid silver horn, plus three-dimensional rodeo scenes on both the saddle and oversized breast collar highlighting bull dogging, calf roping, and bronc and bull riding. The saddle set is further enhanced with a grand and lavish matching sterling silver serape with 12 tapered leather and silver danglers on each side, plus a matching bridle with half breed bit attached to split reins and romal, mounted with finely engraved square ferrules and adjustable diamond slide. Also included is a black and white wool corona and wooden display stand. Ensemble parade accessories include a well maker-marked matching single holster gun rig with a 1 1/2" 3-piece Bohlinmade buckle set securing the belt and a 1/2" 3-piece set on the single holster. The belt and holster are adorned with diamond conchos, trademark Bohlin silver spots and 39 silver bullets. The last - and certainly not least - is a fine pair of matching diamond-mounted gauntlets for the stylish rider to weather those cold New Year's Day mornings while parading in the Pasadena Rose Parade. Excellent overall condition.
Provenance: Ex George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Pictured: Saddle Maker to the Stars, The Leather and Silver Art of Edward H. Bohlin, by James. H. Nottage, pgs 138-39
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.