336

Benny + Valerie Aldrich

(20th/21st Century)

Sterling Silver and Multi-stone Inlaid Western Show Saddle – handmade, including bridle, breast plate + spurs

tooled leather, sterling silver, turquoise, coral, spiny oyster, lapis lazuli, sugilite
commissioned by Bing (Edmund) Crosby
custom made by Rios Bros. Saddle Manufacturing Co. from Phoenix, Arizona, and further customized by Benny + Valerie Aldrich

saddle: 38 5/8 x 27 1/2 x 19 1/2 in. (98.1 x 69.9 x 49.5 cm.)
seat size: 16 in. (39.4 cm.), skirt width: 25 3/4 in. (65.5 cm.), skirt length: 27 3/4 in. (70.5 cm.), gullet width: 5 3/4 in. (14.6 cm.), horn height: 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.), horn diameter: 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.), cantle height: 2 3/8 in. (6.0 cm.)

bridle: browband headstall, roller bit: 5 in. (12 in. shank and 2 in. purchase), split reins

  • Provenance: The Artists
    The Bing and Vickie Crosby Collection, Utah

    Benny and Valerie Aldrich met while attending Northern Arizona University. Having a little money, they began making their jewelry for Christmas presents. Their early pieces consisted of shell inlays and the occasional concho belt. To augment their income, they sold pipestone and serpentine from local quarries to Native American artists at Santo Domingo Pueble, a pueblo famous for bead making. The bead makers wanted to know how the raw materials would look when finished; so, Benny and Valerie drilled, polished and hand rolled the rough, and went on to develop an innovative process of silver smithing and stone cutting. Today their style of intarsia inlay incorporates old world style combined with the new world of vivid colors and craftsmanship, every piece being meticulously cut and polished by hand.
  • Condition: The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer's advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

November 9, 2024 1:00 PM MST
Santa Fe, NM, US

Santa Fe Art Auction

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $1,000,000:
23.00%
$1,000,001+:
18.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000