清十八/ 十九世紀 鐵鎏金銀鏤空龍紋馬鞍

constructed from wood tied together with strips of leather, the pommel and cantle plates made of chiseled iron damascened with silver and highlighted in gilt to form the design of dragons against a pierced scrolled ground  

The metalwork in overall good condition. The two back wood supporting panels replaced and the metalwork remounted with one of the metal loops placed upside down. One of the metal securing fasteners broken and one missing. There are remains of the fabric and leather ties. Age expected wear overall.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The technique used to decorate the pommel and cantle plates on this saddle are similar to a saddle in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dated to the 17th / 18th century, accession number 1997.214.1. The present saddle, like the one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was either made in China for the Tibetan market or strongly influenced by Chinese design. The example in the Metropolitan Museum has Chinese characters chiseled on the interior of the pommel plate indicating a likely Chinese origin.