Handmade Ottoman horse saddle 1880 – 1920

Handmade Ottoman horse saddle with wooden frame; Central Asia; end of the Ottoman Empire around 1900 (1880 - 1920); the frame covered with leather and laced; flat rear pommel and flat seat; short saddle flap with typical embroidery in bold colours of red, yellow, blue and green wool; pommel, seat and saddle flap made of brown leather with a beautiful patina; a small horn at the front of the gorget; narrow stirrup leathers with leather work; the stirrups made of iron with the classic Ottoman and curved design - under the horn on a leather strap a small lead seal, presumably for export through customs; the Ottoman stirrups are older (presumably mid-19th century - around 1850). The Ottoman stirrups are older (probably mid-19th century - around 1850); a leather strap riveted to the back with a rounded bead, the strap was probably added in the 1930s; the saddle leather is mostly still soft, signs of wear inside the saddle (leather has torn in places, some pieces missing; the outside of the seat is slightly cracked; Saddle padding not present (see photos); signs of wear commensurate with age; the saddle has been used and is authentic; a great collector's item for horse lovers, collectors of Ottoman objects or as a decorative item for the home or stable; traces of use according to age; dimensions seat size: approx. 38 x 48 cm - dimensions of chamber and place width: approx. 17 cm and 34 cm - saddle flap height: 15 cm