January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
A Spanish chain-type construction using a series on "cringle" knits. Perhaps the earliest known horsehair bridle and believed to have been made by Spanish sailors.
As described in the Martin Horsehair book: "The knot used to make this extremely rare Spanish-style 18th century horsehair bridle is similar to the cringle knot used by Spanish sailors as shown on Figure 2.4 identified as 'seizing the eyelet.' This unusually small bridle with a Spanish snaffle bit and delicate reins is well suited for the small Spanish horses that came to the new world."
Some restoration and stabilization by Ron & Shoni Maulding.
Pictured: "Horsehair Bridles - A Unique American Folk Art" by Ned & Jody Martin, page 19
Includes a new copy of the book