Nez Perce
ca. 1830 – 1845
Interpretive text from Nimiipuu Tribal Committee:
"Women's saddle, constructed from cottonwood/willow (portion of the stirrups) and covered in rawhide. Also includes 'saddle fenders' made of bison rawhide, painted and original rawhide rigging.
This style of saddle was a type of saddle made and used by women, utilizing very high saddle horn and cantle. The exposed saddle frame differs from the 'Western' saddle in that is is meant to use robes and other types of padding for the seat and comfort of the rider. The bison rawhide saddle fenders are a unique feature of this saddle and painted in a standardized manner, very consistent with the very few other extant examples that have been collected. The stirrup style is reminiscent of early Spanish stirrups and the saddle fenders may be patterned after early Spanish armor that may have been observed."
Bison hide, cottonwood, pigment, wool. L 60, W 32 cm
Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 8755