An old, very carefully and finely crafted camel saddle of the Tuareg. On a basic frame made of wood, covered with red, black and green leather. The decorations consist of the embossing of the leather in geometrical forms and lines, partly dyed black. Also cast and engraved brass, cut strips made of sheet iron, as well as light-coloured strips of fur. The backside the saddle’s backrest is particularly beautifully decorated: with green leather, cut sheet metal strips, partly underlaid with red fabric as well as with geometrical red and yellow-brown embroidery. Also a beautiful, old leather pouch, brown, with fringes and strips made of dark brown, cut-out leather, partly underlaid with red fabric. An old, original and complete object, with good usage patina and minor age-related damage. First third to half of the 20th century; H: 81 cm, L: 68 cm.

Provenance: Austrian Private Collection. Acquired directly from the Tuareg by the consignor in 1970 in Agadez, Niger. (ME)

additional image:
TUAREG-RIDERS in their saddles, on their camels. On the saddle of the first camel at the front hangs a large leather sack, known as a “Taseihat.” A very similar object is offered as Cat. No. 136 in this auction of Tribal Art.
Photo from: “Afrika im Schmuck” by Angela Fisher