TIBET, 15TH-17TH CENTURY

Exquisitely crafted, this painted wooden saddle points towards the importance of horses in the daily life of the high Tibetan plateaus. Nicknamed the “roof of the world”, the rugged mountain terrain of the country was navigated often with the aid of animals, with a rich equestrian culture developing as a result. Not only were saddles produced for quotidian use, but in this period of history rife with warfare, objects with aesthetic refinement and practical utility were developed for use in conflict. Moreover, horse racing festivals are a common and venerated Tibetan tradition that allowed for nomadic peoples to meet, exchange information, trade items, and come together in celebration.

The upright pommel and cantle are ornately decorated with gold floral motifs. The exquisite brushwork is representative of developed technique, with leaves and petals sprawling across the surface of the front and back, finished with a lustrous lacquer. Similarly, the metal finishing of the saddle is carved with accompanying floral patterns and gilt work.

This lot could be compared to other gser sas, Tibetan saddles, such as one in the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Acc. No. 2002.225), where the surface of the saddle incorporates similar gilt ornamentation. Swirling arabesques designs were common, either carved into iron or hand painted as in this case.