Don Ellis (1913-1969) Sterling Parade Saddle

A spectacular silver mounted parade saddle with extensive leather carving and engraved silverwork. Saddle is mounted with sterling silver on pommel, swell, cantle, skirts, fenders, and tapadero. The engraving on the silver is superbly executed in a scroll and floral pattern. Silver monogram on the tapadero is a circle with A on the inside. Leather work is a floral motif that covers more than 80% of the saddle. Comes with a black and white saddle pad. About Ellis: "Grew up in Seattle where he was a self-taught silversmith and engraver. During his younger years as a rodeo rider, Don created his first rodeo trophy buckle for Ellensburg, Washington rodeo events. By the 1940s he was making silver saddles as well as gold and silver buckles. In the early 1950s Don created the lavish gold and silver presentation buckles for the Rodeo Cowboy Association and completed his crowning achievement, the Wes Williams’ saddle that is on display at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. This saddle is embellished with over 50 POUNDS of sterling silver, gold figures and a gold and silver horsehead saddle horn. "Don is often referred to as the “Ed Bohlin of the Pacific Northwest” when, in fact, his exquisite style of engraving met or exceeded the best that the famed Hollywood Saddle Maker to the Stars ever had to offer." High Noon