June 22, 2024 Brian Lebel's Santa Fe Old West Events Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/22/2024
Stunning, breathtaking and "over-the-top" are just a few of the many adjectives that have been used to describe this extraordinary parade saddle created by the "other" renowned Southern California Danish saddlemaker and silversmith, Frank Coenen.
Challenging Ed Bohlin's domination of the California parade saddle market in the 1940s, the fellow Swede set out to compete at the very top echelon with his very exclusive and limited production models. This two-tone brown marvel with artistically sculpted floral carving is lavishly adorned with very heavy gauge sterling silver mountings plus gold and silver three-dimensional figures. While the cantle and front swells, horn and gullet are fully covered in silver, the skirts and rear jockey are decorated with ornate sterling plates enhanced with raised stylized scrollwork, plus figures including a "Let 'er Buck" cowboy, longhorn, and multiple gold horseheads. The lovely, elegant and intricate domed and tiered conchos run vertically and horizontally across the regal silver serape and again on breast collar hangers, with a slotted version of the same appearing at base of the latigo string ties and again securing the tapaderos. The ends of the serapes are further enhanced with multiple silver danglers in a simulated bell pattern with protruding threaded ends. The stylized scroll mountings are prominently placed both independently and atop heavy silver plates throughout the saddle. No detail is spared on this remarkable assemblage, down to details like latigo strings covered with dozens of fine silver ferrules. The matching bridle and massive breast collar replicate the saddle in quality and stature, including a fine curb overlaid bit and heavily ferruled closed reins with romal. The saddle and accessories are in overall excellent condition and include a brown and beige two-tone wool Corona and custom wooden display stand. 16" seat, 2 1/2" cantle.
Provenance: Ex George Pitman Collection, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Awards/Accolades: Equestrian Blue Ribbon winner at the 1997 (108th) Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade
Frank Coenen, saddle maker and silversmith extraordinaire, emigrated from Denmark to the USA in the early 20th century entering the saddle business in Southern California in 1906 during that transitional period between the traditional utilitarian tack of the old west and the rapid ascent of the flashier Hollywood cowboy. A fellow Scandinavian like Edward H. Bohlin, Coenen became one of Bohlin’s chief rivals, producing some of the finest sterling silver parade outfits of the era, including the multiple gold-medal winning saddle for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. Frank's stunning, heavy gauge sterling silver repousse creations were coveted by the most discriminating Hollywood clientele of the day like Tom Mix, Will Rogers and Wallace Beery. Several of his Coenen's most renowned saddles tell a story or chronicle historical events like his illustrious San Fernando model with its 22 completely different cowboy scenes. Legendary silver saddle collector extraordinaire, Mort Fleischer, of Scottsdale, AZ validated the Coenen legacy when he chose a Coenen saddle for the cover of his collection book, Fine Art of the West, written by Byron Price and published in 2004.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.