Featured in this lot is an original Jesus M. Tapia (1856-1931) circa 1910 silver mounted and inlaid Silver Eagle Spade Bit with Rattle Snake Slobber Bar on an original Mexican Silver horse headstall bridle. The bridle has the trademark Tapia raised conchos with nipples. J. Tapia is considered the Holy Grail of California spur makers with this being an amazing piece from a renowned Pacific Northwestern collection. Jesus M. Tapia (1856 - 1931) spurs and bits are the most coveted and valued of the early California makers and was renowned for the elegance and grace of his pieces which frequently included very stylized iron work, tendrils and the elegant and artistry of filigree. Tapia’s work was seldom marked but his style and quality were so distinctive that a knowledgeable California spur and bit collector will have little trouble identifying the few pieces that come to the market. This piece shows the telltale Tapia characteristic with the iconic trademark raised concho spots with the nipples atop shown across the entire piece. The piece shows a classic early spade bit with figure-eight coiling Rattle Snakes inlaid with silver on the slobber bar which shows three raised conchos with spot nipples atop. The cheeks on each side show the classic proud American Bald Eagle with stars and strips shield at its chest, legs turned and the wings spread and holding the large raised domed concho with five-point star. The large domed concho spot is held onto place with three raised conchos with spot nipples atop, the Tapia trademark, still faintly present. This bit is very rare in that it exhibits both overlaid and inlaid silver on a horse bit, as well as the Tapia trademark nipple conchos, a rarity to have both. The bottom shows intricate iron worked rein chain holders and the top has the original copper still on the spade bit. The piece is paired with a period circa 1910 Mexican leather headstall bridle with large silver concho spots at the bit and further above two large silver concho spots with silver belt ends and elegant silver buckles. Above this is a split leather top piece with small silver covered brass tacks with a brass covered metal five-point lone star. The silver work on the conchos shows a double domed repousse floral design with a nice engraved edge, two have a spotted center and two a four-point star. The entire piece is very well kept and a rare pairing. The combination of the Mexican Vaquero Silver concho headstall bridle with the Jesus M. Tapia Silver Eagle Spade Bit with Rattle Snake Slobber Bar having both inlaid and overlaid silver is truly a rare and desirable collectible, likely one of the best Tapia bits and headstall sets offered on the open market. Tapia pieces are truly the most collected California maker with examples selling over $100,000 at auction. The bit by itself is not including the rein chains is about 9.5” by 6”W by 2.5”D with the chains being about 12”L from the bit itself. The headstall measures about 39.5”L along the leather itself, the largest conchos are 3” in diameter and the others 2.75” in diameter.