Equestrian Art
The recado (horse-riding gear) assumes the role of both [Gaucho’s] saddle and bed. Remarkably, it performs both functions amazingly…
The recado is his home, a nomadic home that always travels with him.
La Pampa, 1890. Alfredo Ebelot (1839-1920)
Hispanists highlight the Islamic Andalusian and Christian Iberian Kingdoms as the ancestral source of the culture and equestrian skills of the nomadic Gauchos of the Pampas, which evolved in a massive and endless green desert, without trees or stones. These River Plate riders were passionate about embellishing their horses, leading to a fabulous explosion of equestrian silver production. Over time, this became known as Gaucho Silver, unrivalled throughout the world for its richness, sophisticated designs and wide variety of ornamental patterns. This period reached its climax at the very end of 18th century, continuing into the mid-20th century.
It was as such that the River Plate rider’s greatest pride was in showing off his horse, festooned in silver trappings. Nowadays, luxury bits, bridles, reins, saddles, stirrups, spurs and so on are often the star attractions of a horse’s tack, enhancing the Criollo mount.
AN EXTRAORDINARY SIRIGOTE HORSE GEAR
Uruguay / Late 19th century
Silver, partially gilt, cast, chased, embossed, bridled, with burnished punchwork. Leather and bridled leather
Provenance: Private collection, River Plate.
Pair of iron spurs
Argentina / late 19th century
Length: 26 cm
Diameter of rowel: 15 cm
Weight: 689 y 690 gr ea.
Pair of silver bell stirrups
Río de la Plata, Uruguay or Brazil / second half 19th cent.
Height: 21 cm
Width: 14.5 cm
Stirrup leathers with flat silver cane
Length of cane: 17.4 cm
Overall weight: 832 and 829 gr ea.
An extraordinary pair of stirrups, with a very rare stylish ladies design surrounded by flowers.
Pair of parcel-gilt silver and gold bell stirrups
Uruguay / late 19th cent
Height: 22.2 cm
Width: 17.2 cm
Weight: 664 and 676 gr. ea.
A splendid pair of bell stirrups, decorated with gild flowerpots and wide flower rinceaux.
A pair of silver bell stirrups
Argentina, Entre Ríos / circa 1860
Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 16.8 cm
Weight: 902 y 887 gr ea.
Coat of Arms of Arms of the Argentine Confederation
Published:
El Caballo en la Historia y en el Arte.
Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo, Buenos Aires, 1966. Fig. 114. Cat. 364
Ex-collection Jorge von Stremayr
Ex-collection Raul Moneta
Braided leather, gold and silver flat bladed horse whip
Uruguay / third quarter of 19th cent
Length: 88.5 cm
Knob diameter: 5.5 cm
Published:
Equestrian Silver in the River Plate, Javier & José Eguiguren, 2014, fig 230, p. 336
Provenance: Private collection, Argentina
Parcel-gilt silver and braided silver strip stock whip
Uruguay / late 19th cent
Length: 86.5 cm
The stock whip has a rich decoration with silver wire mesh, enhanced with dancing girls figures and gold ferrules.
Silver knife
Argentina, Buenos Aires / third quarter of 19th cent.
Maker’s mark: illegible
Overall length: 41 cm
Length of blade: 24 cm.
Overall weight: 745 gr
Published: Equestrian Silver in the River Plate. Art for rides and horses. Eguiguren, 2018, p. 134-135.
Parcel-gilt silver dagger
Uruguay / third quarter of 19th cent.
Overall length: 28.3 cm
Maker’s blade: 16.5 cm; Solingen, Germany. 16.5 cm
Overall weight: 298 gr
Published: Equestrian Silver in the River Plate. Art for rides and horses. Eguiguren, 2018, p 138-139.
Parcel-gilt silver dagger
Argentina, Buenos Aires / late 19th cent.
Maker’s mark: A. Villa
Overall length: 34 cm
Maker’s mark of steel blade: A. Panizza & Cia, Buenos Aires, Argentina. 20 cm.
Weight: 352 gr
Parcel-gilt silver knife
Uruguay / third quarter of 19th cent
Length: 30.5 cm
Maker’s mark of steel blade: H. Boker & Co, Solingen, Germany. 21 cm
Overall weight: 286 gr
Published: Equestrian Silver in the River Plate. Art for rides and horses. Eguiguren 2018, p. 136-137.
Silver mate cup with straw
Argentina, Buenos Aires / late 19th cent
Maker’s mark: AP
Height: 19,6 cm
Weight: 403 gr
Owner’s initials: JR
A very quality mate cup with three-horse design stem.
Silver mate cup with straw
Argentina, Buenos Aires / late 19th cent
Maker’s mark: AP
Height: 19,6 cm
Weight: 403 gr
Owner’s initials: JR
A very quality mate cup with three-horse design stem.
Silver mate cup with straw
Argentina, Buenos Aires / late 19th cent
Height: 18,6 cm
Weight: 287 gr
Owner’s name: Maria R de Sanguinetti
A very fine mate cup with eagle design stem.
Silver, gold and tied gourd mate cup with silver straw
Argentina, Buenos Aires, third quarter of 19th cent
Height: 9.8 cm
Owner’s initials: FOP
Silver, gold, pearls and tied gourd mate cup with silver straw
Mate de calabaza, plata, oro y perlas
Argentina / late 19th cent
Height: 10.2 cm
mate cup
Paraguay / Circa 1850
Gourd, molded. Gold, cast, chased and stretched thread with burnished punchwork.
Height: 9 cm.
Length: 17.5 cm.
Provenance: Carlos Alberto Cruz – The Apelles Collection, Chile & England.
AN EXTREMELY FINE PAIR OF SPURS
Argentina / Last quarter of 19th century
Silver, partially gilt, cast, chased and braided. Iron, cast and pierced.
Size: 15.3 x 14.4 cm.
Weight: 1585 gr.