A TIBETAN IRON AND COPPER REPOUSSÉ ‘DRAGON’ SADDLE, 18TH-19TH CENTURY

A TIBETAN IRON AND COPPER REPOUSSÉ ‘DRAGON’ SADDLE, 18TH-19TH CENTURY The carved wood pieces joined by ropes, leather straps, sharkskin covers and metal mounts. The pommel finely worked with a central front-facing dragon head flanked by two writhing dragons emerging from crashing waves and surrounded by swirling clouds, below the Triratna (Three Jewels). The silk brocade saddle cover lined with red fabric stamped with two seals. Provenance: From the private collection of Annick and Alain Cical. Annick and Alain Cical were Parisian art dealers who together and individually ran several galleries, including Galerie Cical-Goas established in 1989 and Galerie L’Asie Animiste. The couple traveled extensively across Tibet, Nepal, India, and Southeast Asia. Over four decades, they built an impressive and eclectic collection of sculptures, masks, jewelry, and works of art. Condition: Good condition with expected wear, manufacturing flaws, traces of use, minuscule nicks, light scratches, small dents and losses. Weight: 5,056 g Dimensions: Length 54 cm (the saddle), Size 62 x 38 cm (the saddle cover) Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s New York, 19 September 2015, lot 712 Price: USD 32,500 or approx. EUR 39,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A leather and iron saddle, Tibet, 18th / 19th century Expert remark: Compare the related form and dragon motif. Note the damascened metalwork and that the lot includes two stirrups.