An Italian Gothic saddle with lavish bone veneer in 15th century style, 19th century The entire upper surface of the wooden saddle veneered in finely carved, engraved bone. The seat with a depiction of a couple in traditional Italian Renaissance attire, the half-length portraits each framed by a wreath of leaves. The saddle pommel with a circular cross motif on both sides, a heraldic eagle in each of the fields. The sides adorned with raised decorative tendrils, a border of antique-style Tritons and mermaids at the lower edge. The underside covered in old silk, the lining faded and worn in places. Dimensions 38 x 52 x 38 cm.An elaborate historicism era replica. Several similar style saddles can still be found in famous international collections, e.g. one object in the Royal Armouries (Inv. VI.95), or another saddle in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (69.944).Condition: II -