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Condition
Good vintage condition with attractive age-related wear and patina. Hand-painted surfaces show scattered paint loss, rubbing, small chips, and exposed wood consistent with age. There is more noticeable wear around the horse’s muzzle and front hoof. Leather bridle, reins, holster, and tack show age, dryness, and wear, including a loose/dangling leather section at the horse’s mouth. Metal stirrups and cartridge-belt details show oxidation/patina. Horsehair/fiber mane and tail remain present. Please review all photographs closely for condition and construction details.
Description
Wonderful vintage hand-carved and hand-painted folk art figure depicting a cowboy or vaquero mounted on horseback.
The piece is unusually detailed for its size and incorporates several different materials beyond the carved wood construction. The rider wears a broad-brimmed hat, bright red shirt, yellow neckerchief, dark trousers, and boots. Around his waist is a separately constructed leather gun belt with holster and individually applied simulated cartridges, giving the figure tremendous character.
The horse is carved and painted in an aged cream-gray color with black hooves and hand-painted facial details. The maker fitted the horse with separate leather bridle and tack, metal hardware and stirrups, a brown saddle, dark green saddle blanket, and natural hair/fiber mane and tail.
The figure has a strong Western and vaquero aesthetic and could be of Mexican or Latin American origin; however, no maker\'s mark or country-of-origin marking has been observed, so the exact origin is unknown.
Likely early-to-mid 20th century, although the precise age cannot be confirmed.
An appealing display piece for collectors of folk art, primitive carvings, Western Americana, cowboy memorabilia, equestrian collectibles, vintage toys, or hand-carved wooden figures.
Approximate Measurements
- Height:Approximately 8 1/2 inches
- Length: Approximately 5 inches
- Width: Approximately 2 inches
![Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Cowboy Vaquero on Horse Leather Tack 8.5\](img-large/g/07MAAeSw-0FqrHhh/s-l1600/Vintage-Folk-Art-Carved-Wood-Cowboy-Vaquero-on-Hor.jpg "Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Cowboy Vaquero on Horse Leather Tack 8.5\")
