1930S SHERIFF'S MOUNTED POSSE CALIFORNIA PARADE SADDLE

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/22/2024

This charming two-tone brown, round skirted parade saddle with a 16" seat and sweeping silver trimmed 5" cantle was artfully rebuilt in Southern California in the early 1990s using the original Brydon Bros floral craved styling and floral patterns, then re-mounted with the original A.A. Cuen silver. It was made in 1930 for Teddy A. Arrigonie of Montebello, California and features his name and 1930 date on the swells caps and on the heart-shaped seat plate, plus both fender corners are adorned with a sterling cut-out heart with an interior "A". The distinctive tapaderos are mounted with an oversized 6 1/2", 6-point Deputy Sheriff / Los Angeles County badge/emblem with a prominent 3-dimensional gold iconic California grizzly bear. The heavy gauge silver mountings of A.A. Cuen's Out West Saddlery silver mountings include multiple card suits conchos along the full perimeter, plus a decoratively wrapped twisted silver wire horn with concho. The saddle is maker-stamped on the back of the tapaderos "Out West Saddlery / A.A. Cuen / Maker / Los Angeles". The matching headstall continues the silver card suit theme while adding a 3-piece horse drop connecting the brow to the nose band. The headstall is affixed to a fancy silver mounted spade bit attached to a set of split reins with romal adorned with engraved silver ferrules. This parade ensemble includes an extra set of two-tone floral carved Stirrups with a "Let 'er Buck" domed and scalloped sterling concho, plus a flattering brown and beige wool Corona. Very fine, rideable condition.

Alberto A. Cuen was one of three brothers, including Rafael & Perfecto, all sons of Don Ventura Cuen of Panama. In the late 1800s, Don Ventura Cuen sold his ranch property in Panama to cattle baron Henry Miller with the agreement that any of the Cuen sons could have lifelong jobs on the ranch if they so desired. It was Rafael who stayed on and worked the ranch as a wagon boss for 46 years for a division of the legendary Miller & Lux operation. The Cuen family had owned and operated the ranch and were all top hand Vaqueros, well known for their ranching and riding expertise. Perfecto Cuen went on to ride for Miller's 101 Wild West Shows, making his way far from the family ranch in Panama, while Alberto Cuen went on to become a well-rounded and famous saddle maker in his making numerous saddles for the working Vaqueros on the Miller & Lux Ranches for many years. By the time Alberto A. Cuen opened his shop - the Out West Saddlery in Los Angeles, CA in the 1920s - he had a large clientele of Old Vaqueros and working Cowboys, plus an emerging Hollywood cowboy market. A. A. Cuen made saddles only under the Out West Saddlery maker mark for about 15 years, and after his death in the 1940s the shop remained opened for a short time by his daughter.

Provenance: Ex George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA

This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.