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Cary Schwarz
Saddlemaker

Cary Schwarz

Emeritus Member

Artwork

Artwork by Cary Schwarz

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Briefcase – #45

Leather Briefcase

$12,900

Sold

This fully floral carved and antiqued briefcase, Schwarz said, is an all-American project utilizing leather from three different tanneries. He composed the central image — Secretariat’s legendary 1973 Belmont Stakes victory by 31 lengths — through a combination of pyrography and spirit-based dyes. The silver overlaid steel keepers, fashioned by TCAA bit & spur maker Wilson Capron, serve as part of a unique, secure and convenient closure, while the ergonomic handle was entirely hand sewn with linen thread.

Schwarz chose the image of Secretariat, with jockey Ron Turcotte riding to victory, because “it symbolizes the spirit we know as ‘cowboy’.” Horse racing has been an enduring legacy within cowboy culture since the very beginning, he said, and riding a fast horse “like the wind” is but one of the commonalities between the cowboy world and the racetrack.

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Batwing Chaps – #44

Chaps

$7,475

Sold

For these “step-through” chaps — which are simply pulled on like a pair of pants, without hardware fasteners — Schwarz drew inspiration from a pair that Joe De Yong (Charlie Russell’s only protégé) decorated with his “electric needle” approximately 100 years ago. Schwarz drew the images onto the leather freehand, then burned them in with a modern “electric needle.” The yokes are floral carved with chestnut leather, while the overlaid border is decorated with swivel cuts and a bound edge. The large buckle and conchas by TCAA silversmith Beau Compton complete the piece.

Additional Images

Cary Schwarz

Salmon, Idaho

This year, Cary Schwarz pushed the envelope a little further with more pyrography decoration on his pieces. With more than four decades of professional saddlemaking and leatherwork, he has found great satisfaction in trying new things, and he continues to hone his skills as an artist and craftsman. His work in this show represents the highwater mark for his abilities and showcases the many layers of possibilities with leather. He, like his fellow members, considers the annual show and exhibition the leading edge of the educational focus for the group.