Mexican stock saddle

This ornate stock saddle was made in Mexico for a wealthy gentleman rancher. The leather is hand-embroidered with sterling silver tread and cactus fiber, and accented with repoussé sterling silver ornaments.

The stirrups are covered by monkey-nose tapadaros, leather coverings designed to protect the boot when riding through brush. Because it is so ornate, it likely would have been used for parades rather than for riding the range. The saddle tree is marked with the name of its maker, Fabrica de Fustes, Dionisio Rodriguez. Medals on the saddle tree represent awards won at the New Orleans World's Fair in 1884 and the Paris World's Fair in 1889.