FEATURE
Function, form & a work of art Saddle-maker Dan Kingsley is following in a grand tradition of Western saddle craftsmen, writes JANE CAMENS.
T
he secret is out,’ wrote saddle maker Dan Kingsley on his Facebook page. ‘This is the project I’ve been working on.’
The ‘project’ was an outstanding handtooled Western saddle he’d been creating for over 10 weeks — designing, drawing and redrawing, carving and stamping. When I spoke to Dan he was about to enter his beautiful and intricately carved saddle in the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Two days later he found out the saddle had won him first place in its category as well as being selected for the ‘Standard of Excellence’ award.
He did a couple of saddle making courses and that’s where he met his now friend and mentor Peter Brophy. Although older than Dan and with a well-established reputation as a saddler, Peter took Dan under his wing. The pair started talking regularly and critiquing each other’s work. “It’s not about competition,” says Dan. Dan’s craft has been inspired by master saddlers in the United States, in particular Troy West and Terry Hanson, members of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA). The TCCA is dedicated to ‘preserving and promoting
“I wanted to do a one-of-a-kind work of art,” Dan says. He can imagine it sitting on display in someone’s living room, although it is designed to be used. Says Dan: “I do performance saddles and add art if the customer will allow me.” The issue, of course, is the artwork, especially original designs, cost more money. Dan was putting around $14,000 on the saddle, but that was before it won first prize. Thirty-one-year-old Dan lives near Gunning, NSW, about an hour from Canberra. He used to shoe horses for a living but suffered an injury to his ankle and took up leatherwork while recovering.
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the skills of saddle making, bit and spur making, silver smithing and rawhide braiding and the role of these traditional crafts in the cowboy culture’. “I’ve been fortunate to go to the US and meet them. They are amazing craftsmen,” Dan says. “They take what they do very seriously.” Dan uses Warren Wright trees because this New Zealand tree-maker is considered one of the top three tree makers in the world. After his win at Sydney Royal, Dan himself has been recognised as a top craftsman in his field. Western saddles are a reminder of important moments in the history of the world. They are said to have originated from the Conquistador’s Spanish war saddles that originated from saddles used by Moorish invaders when they conquered the Iberian Peninsula. Later, the Spanish saddles were adapted in Mexico for working with cattle. They are designed to hold you in place, and to also be extremely comfortable. Form, function and art all in one. Australia is lucky to have a new up-and-coming master Western saddle-maker.
