A RARE NORTH AFRICAN DECORATED EQUESTRIAN SADDLE AND HARNESS

A RARE NORTH AFRICAN DECORATED EQUESTRIAN SADDLE AND HARNESS, ALGERIA OR MOROCCO, 19TH CENTURY the saddle formed of a wooden tree covered with stitched hide, with characteristic tall narrow pommel at the front and tall broad cantle at the rear, with its finely embroidered tooled leather cover, the interior with an early pasted inventory tag 'No. 2', the exterior decorated with a running pattern of scrolling foliage in silver wire thread, the front and rear coverings on a red velvet ground enriched with sequins and blue and gold thread (areas of wear and fading); a pair of iron stirrups, each with arched tread pierced with a stellate arrangement of slipped circles, triangular side-bars rising to a loop for suspension, with its crimson cords; a pair of prick spurs, each with long slightly curved spike, moulded base with a rectangular loop above, deep heel band with slotted rectangular terminals decorated throughout with a running pattern of boteh in engraved silver, and with their broad velvet and leather straps; silver-mounted bridle decorated with silver and coloured thread en suite with the saddle covering and with pierced silver-covered mounts decorated with foliage at the top and bottom, the latter carrying and iron curb bit; further straps and an leather holster for a pair of kubur pistols, the outer surface decorated with scrolling foliage in silver thread, and a hide whip the saddle 41.0 cm; 16 ¼ in high (qty)