Bit and spur makers in the vaquero tradition: A historical perspective

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Martin, Ned and Jody

Antiques & Collectibles

Hawk Hill Press

American cowboys loved the flash of silver at their heels and on their horses. Between 1850 and 1970 western craftsmen responded to the cowboys' needs by creating intricately engraved silver bits and spurs that are avidly collected today. This handy reference book covers 100 makers and some saddleries in seven western states and the Northeast. Included for each maker are time lines and detailed photographs of their marks and engraving style as well as indications of the current collectibility, relative value and scarcity of their pieces. This pocket guide is based on the more comprehensive book, Bit and Spur Makers in the Vaquero Tradition: A Historical Perspective which has 650 stunning color photographs of bit and spur makers from more than 45 collections. It has an extensive index and bibliography as well as complete biographies of more than 100 makers.

Bit and Spur Makers in the Vaquero Tradition: Pocket Guide

Jody Martin

Ned Martin

This is the definitive book on all the old bit and spur makers of the Texas region who were working between 1870 and 1970. There are 63 makers featured with stunning photographs of their work, their maker's mark and a biography of each maker. The origins of the Texas style are traced in the history of bits and spurs brought to the New World from England, France and Spain.

Bit & Spur Makers in the Texas Tradition: A Historical Perspective by Ned Martin, Jody Martin (2001) Hardcover

History

Americas

This handy pocket-sized edition of the larger book by the same name packs all the essential reference material into a more portable edition. With more makers as well as indications of collectibility, value and scarcity for each bit and spur maker, this handy guide is the perfect complement to the larger book at home in your library.

Bit and Spur Makers in the Texas Tradition, Pocket Guide

Reference

Kurt House

Catalogs & Directories

This beautiful big coffee table book features 123 skilled modern makers of bits and spurs. It also includes descriptions and images of motifs and techniques used in building and embellishing these pieces over many centuries. There are 900 stunning color photographs of the beautifully crafted silver bits and spurs made by modern day craftsmen and women throughout the country and Canada.

Bits & Spurs: Motifs, Techniques and Modern Makers

Martin, Jody

Martin, Ned

This is a stunning colorful book in large format (12 x 15 in.) which includes 45 historic Indian horse masks from museums and private collections. Most date from the 19th century. Scores of other masks are illustrated by 18th and 19th century indian paintings and drawings on rock, leather, cloth and paper, and by historic photographs. The symbolism and history of masks is thoroughly discussed and annotated. There is an extensive bibliography and index.
 Painting the face or body of a man or a horse is also a kind of masking. Therefore, a chapter on Cheyenne horse painting and its meaning and usage is also part of this volume., written by Winfield Coleman.

American Indian Horse Masks

Ned and Jody Martin

Mike Cowdrey

This book traces the evolution and use of silver bridles as well as gorgets, pectorals, hairplates and concho belts, first obtained through trade networks, and later made by indians. The bridles pictured are those used by the indians of the Southern Plains tribes and the Navajo, as well as from Mexico. 500 images of silver bridles from museums and private collections, as well as depictions in ledger drawings and historic photos, document these bridles in use by the southwestern tribes. This is a large format (12 by 13 1/2 in) full color volume with stunning images.

Bridles of the Americas: Indian Silver

Robert Bauver

This 12" x 13" book, with 500 color images of bridles from 25 museums and private collections, features the fancy beaded, quilled, and cloth bridles used by the tribes of North America, who bridled their horses in unique and beautiful ways.
 Included is a chapter and numerous maps documenting new information on the Spread of the Horse to 125 tribes of North America, correcting more than a half century of erroneous publications. 
 Special chapters on tribal horse culture have been contributed by Nez Perce and Blackfoot historians.

Horses and Bridles of the American Indians

Ned & Jody Martin

This book traces the origins of the folk art of hitching horsehair, and how it flourished in the prisons of the west between 1890 and 1930. In this large format book with about 500 stunning images, the reader will learn to identify the distinct styles of each of the 12 prisons, and appreciate some of the individuals who influenced the creation and sale of these beautiful pieces. 
 It also illustrates the preparation, dyeing and hitching of the horsehair, and differentiates between hitching and braiding, or plaiting, the fibers in order to make cheek straps, brow pieces and reins of a bridle.
 Most of the book is focused on prison-made pieces, but the last two chapters deal with those made elsewhere. Winfield Coleman authored a chapter on the Indian Uses of Horsehair which go far beyond the creation of bridles. The final chapter describes and pictures the work of talented, often self-taught, contemporary makers of hitched horsehair items.

Horsehair Bridles, A Unique American Folk Art

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