The lot features a phenomenal, scarce whimsical beaded Indian hide pad saddle from the Tsuut’ina Sacree of the Northern Plains of Canada dating to the early 1900’s. For reference see the circa 1880 Tsuu T’ina (Sarcee) padded saddle from the Abel E. Brooks collection Smithsonian American Indian Museum collection showing the nearly identical pattern of whimsical beaded padded hide with trade clothe and beaded fringes (a photo is shown for reference). The example in this lot shows an Indian tanned hide with sinew sewing having a stuffed and padded saddle form covered on the top with the most attractive and artful whimsical beadwork all done in early glass trade seed bead beadwork examples. The beadwork shows colors of greasy yellow, greasy green, light blue, red white heart, cobalt, semi-transparent lilac, green, cobalt, Cheyenne pink, blue, and chalk white. The beadwork shows five-point star, floral and geometric beadwork done in an open field. Each side shows four drop tabs of red and black stroud trade clothe with calico trade clothe backing with further beadwork and two substantial sections of Indian hide fringes bearing trade beads. The larger trade beads include sky blue wound glass pound beads, solid brass trade beads and cast cobalt trade beads. The center shows an Indian tanned hide section draped along the middle covering the harness saddle rigging leather holding the two old cast iron stirrups. While most padded saddles or pad saddles with floral like beadwork is from the Plains Cree, this piece differs in the more whimsical beadwork on an open hide field whereas the Cree examples are beaded panels sewn to the pad; another difference being the Cree examples usually have an open section at the middle whereas the Sacree Tsuut’ina examples show a continues piece of hide which covers the middle section. Padded saddles from the Tsuut’ina Sacree are incredibly scarce with this being one of the few example outside of a museum collection, likely made trade or saw very little to no use as it is very well kept with little wear or patina. Dates to the early-to-mid-1900’s. Measures overall 25-inches long by 21-incehs wide by 26.5-inches high.