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Remarkable silver-mounted black leather saddle and bridle presented in 1825 to the world-renowned Liberator of South America, Simón Bolívar. The saddle resembles the old Spanish jineta style, with sides bordered in a double buck-stitch pattern. The bowed front and matching cantle are each mounted in heavy silver, and engraved in a floral motif. The front plate reads, "Al Libertador Simón Bolívar" in applied letters, and features two applied silver horsemen and an eagle, with an articulated and engraved silver hook. The cantle plate reads, "Potosi 1825," and features an applied coat of arms.
The stirrups are of wood, completely covered with heavy silver, with the applied initials "SB" and lion’s-head disk, and bordered in an engraved floral motif. Around each stirrup leather is a heavy 5˝ ferrule of applied and engraved silver. The underskirt is also of black leather, with inlaid silver "SB" medallions on either side, and dramatic forward and backward sweeping corners: in each is a triangular patch of spotted animal fur, and a tip of engraved silver. The stirrup leathers and portions of the saddle pad have been restored and reinforced over the years, but remain in remarkable condition for their age.
The highly decorative bridle features two brow bands and a nose band. The top band is joined in the center by a large, hand-worked and engraved five-point silver star, suspended from which are two silver ferrules and 6” leather fringes. The lower brow band is joined in the center by a large silver disk with the applied initials "SB" and a single 7˝ cluster of fringe. Two of the bands, as well as the cheek pieces, are decorated along their entire lengths with rows of worked and engraved silver flowers, and all buckles are silver. The age-appropriate bit, mouthpiece, rings and chain are constructed of hand-forged iron. The period-correct reins are braided and knotted rawhide. Condition of silver is very good. Bridle leather has undergone repairs and restoration over years and is in fair condition.
An accompanying trunk measures 24˝ x 14˝ x 13˝ and is constructed entirely of cowhide—with remnants of animal hair evident throughout—bound and extensively decorated with rawhide lacing. Side handles are also of rawhide and the trunk is secured by original hand-forged iron hasp and ring. On underside of lid is a worn paper label, imprinted: "Republica de Colombia, Simon Bolivar, Liberator Presidente de la Republica."
Accompanied by a color copy of a letter of provenance from Jesus Guzman Carrasco, dated January 6, 1950, addressed to the Deputy Prefect of Azurduy Province, Bolivia. In part (translated): "As you and the local community already know, my great grandfather, deceased Leonidas Carrasco Ferrufino, neighbor of this Village, housed in his modest home refugee Antonio Leocadio Guzman Blanco, who was a close supporter of the Liberator during the Independence War, being part of the glorious army for 5 years.
This young man, retired from the Army, established in our Village Asipiazu until his weak health made him go back to his home country Colombia or Venezuela. When he left, my grandfather Leonidas Carrasco helped this brave ex-serviceman providing enough money for the long trip he had ahead. In exchange, he received some of Antonio's belongings, among them his military saber, several books, uniforms and a bunch of mementos he received from his Master, Friend and Protector, the Liberator Simon Bolivar.
These belongings are the property of my family, and they have been in our province for so many years…The belongings are as follows: Campaign written materials, gunner trunk, a campaign cape, a French spyglass, two mule implements with silverwork details, one complete horse harness, crafted from cowhide and silver, a silver inkwell for three types of inks, a shoehorn and button holder made of silver and nacre."
This stunning saddle and bridle set is deeply tied to one of the most pivotal moments in South American history—the final phase of the wars of independence and the birth of Bolivia in 1825. That year, following decisive victories over Spanish forces, the region of Upper Peru declared independence and was renamed Bolivia in honor of Simón Bolívar, the 'Liberator' whose campaigns helped dismantle Spanish colonial rule across the continent. Bolívar himself traveled through key cities during this triumphant period, where he was celebrated as both military hero and founding statesman of the new republic. At Potosí, Bolivar climbed the Cerro Rico to declare his work finished, waving a flag from the mountain's summit in a symbolic act associated with the founding of a new nation. Rich in silver from one of the most historically important mining centers of the Spanish Empire, the saddle and bridle evoke the material and cultural legacy of the region at the very moment it transitioned from colonial rule to sovereign nationhood, making the ensemble a rare artifact of revolutionary history.
The Western Americana auction of Jochen Zeitz.
