This is possibly one of the best items of the sale and one of the earliest examples on the public market of a circa 1870-1880 Navajo Silver Headstall Bridle from the Bruce VanLandingham Sundog collection. The piece is comprised of a large heavy and thick silver headstall on leather bridle. This is truly a fine early example with characteristics from the first bridles made with the following features: from the bottom the plaques or lower cheek plate which exhibits integral rings to hold the bit, a linear cold chiseled pattern on the connection and above a punched stamp engraving; above this is the tapered cheek plate which curves or flairs out also showing the engraving and at the end a dimensional flare being thicker and showing signs of the piece being tufa cast, this piece also works as a keeper or slide; just above this are the large concho or conchas which exhibit outstanding punch stamp engraving, cold chisel work, repoussé and rocker engraving known as one of the earliest distinguishing features; then comes the upper cheek plate or silver plaque which has punch stamp engravings and is connected to a ninety degree connection to the browband which has a diagonal cold chiseled raised section and further punch stamp engravings; lastly is the large browband (also referred to as the frontlet, brow piece, brow plaque, or brow band) which is of a nice large size having a diagonal diamond like top and bottom punched stamp engravings on each side and a more free form punch stamp engraving pattern down the middle, at the center bottom is a silver ring holding the very large naja squash pendant which exhibits a thick tufa cast body with heavy deep cold chiseled central ridge and ends in two raised repoussé like spots with an engraved star like pattern. The concho or concha on one side has a pierced punched pattern at the outside edge not found on the other, a peculiar addition. Each of the pieces has a scalloped wing like edge with half crescent cutout, a truly artistic and beautiful addition. The entire piece is on an old harness saddle trade leather bridle which appears to be original with a large cast iron buckle at the top. The silverwork on this piece can be considered Navajo First Phase, also known as Navajo 1st Phase as it was produced between circa 1850 and 1910 and has the correct early characteristics. The piece has a thick heavy construction and is typically ingot silver or coin silver (many times made with Mexican Silver pesos or U.S. American siler dollars) which is melted down and recast in molds carved from soft volcanic tufa. The back of each piece has a loop band of copper or brass securing it to the harness leather straps. Early headstall bridles such as this from the Navajo were not made for trade but rather are one of the few pieces the Navajo made solely for their own use. The entire piece has a wonderful original patina and displays well. Provenance: From the renowned Sundog Fine Art Bozeman, Montana collection by Bruce VanLandingham. Bruce VanLandingham was a pillar in the American Indian collecting community and a respected expert. Along with being an avid collector, Bruce was also the sole owner of Sundog Fine Art Gallery in Bozeman, which was both part museum and gallery, this piece is directly from the collection. For other examples see the piece listed in Skinner Inc’s 2009 sale identified as circa 1870 having many very similar features but missing the brow band and naja estimated at $8,000; also see the Navajo Silver Bridle circa 1870 which was on a 2014 episode of Antiques Roadshow and identified by Douglas Deihl and given an auction value of $10,000 to $15,000. Measures overall 21.5”L from the top of the strap to the bottom of the lower cheek pieces, the conchos are each 3 3/8” in diameter and the brow band is 4.25”W by 5.75”L to the naja. Museum collection number E1030.