Tad Mizwa Miniature Silver Parade Saddle with Gun Belt and Holsters. Dazzling half-scale (40%) sterling silver mounted master work by the beloved and affable miniature saddle maker and remarkable leather carver who passed away in April of 2019. This stunning floral carved two-tone master work with exquisite hand crafted sterling embellishments features a fully silvered front gullet, pommel and horn with rope edge plus matching sterling covered cantle. The skirts, fenders and lovely long monkey nose tapaderos are trimmed in miniature diamond and half-diamond silver conchos and silver spots including intricately engraved corner plates. While the silver work is undeniably regal and lavish, the leather craving is masterful, exemplary and inspiring validating Mizwa's reputation as the "Leonardo of leather carvers". The saddle includes a black and white corona and a matching two-tone, silver mounted Tad Mizwa Gun Rig with two Holsters adorned with diamonds, half-diamonds, silver floral spots and three, 3-piece sterling buckle sets. Perfect condition, c. 1990.
Tad Mizwa (1927-2019) had always been both a cowboy and western artisan in spirit dating back to his childhood when he became so fascinated with trick roping that he taught himself how to do it. Working with leather at age 14 during WWII, Tad mastered carving and tooling leather using only a nail set and razor blade. At age 19, Mizwa traveled to Phoenix and was introduced to the renowned Porter Saddle shop where he met master leather carver, Ray Pohja who encouraged him to upgrade and refine his overall technique. Tad had a diverse array of jobs during his nine decades of life from journalist to saddle maker extraordinaire with miniature saddles as his specialty. He made three historically accurate replica saddles for permanent exhibition at the Witte Museum in San Antonio plus a Tournament of Roses Parade Saddle with over 600 pieces of sterling silver. Along with his treasured custom full size saddles, Tad created exquisite miniature saddles with the last being a Mexican saddle completed in 2002, on display now at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Other than being 40% smaller in scale, his miniature saddles are exact reproductions.
Lot 366, Sold $29,500
Brian Lebel's Mesa Old West Auction - January 21st & 22nd, 2022 - Mesa, AZ.