Skip to content
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum ®
Cary Schwarz
Saddlemaker

Cary Schwarz

Member

About the Artist

Artwork
1 2 3

Artwork by Cary Schwarz

1 of 3

Saddle

Saddle

$78,500

Sold

This saddle, which Schwarz built for the 25th anniversary TCAA exhibition, marks the 25th saddle on which Schwarz and Scott Hardy have collaborated. The silver adornment that Hardy contributed is all solid sterling and filigreed to the high relief for which Hardy has become known. This saddle also includes large, old-style rigging rings that Troy Flaharty crafted from stainless steel. Schwarz began this saddle by hand-selecting chestnut leather from Hermann Oak Leather (St. Louis), then antiqued it for an even darker, richer look. He then applied his ever-evolving floral carving, which features harmonic movement with the lines of the saddle. In the areas with light color inlays, Schwarz applied renderings of well-known Charles M. Russell paintings using a hand-held pyrography pen — a technique he has utilized for several years.

Additional Images

Saddle

Schwarz considers Russell one of the most important recorders of the cowboy way of life, and an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to appreciate Western heritage. So, using his pyrography technique, he recreated several of Russell’s works across this saddle.

 Saddle

The image at the bottom of each tapadero shows a horse wreck as it is happening. The buckboard driver and his wife are in a jam as a roadster speeds by on the road. This tells the story of the tension between old ways and the new technology. “The challenge we all face today is the very same dilemma,” Schwarz said, “and that is to find ways to retain our cultural heritage while facing rapid social change.” The image in the dish of the cantle shows a bronc being ridden through the cookfire, a true story that Russell witnessed when he was a cowboy. Russell’s Camp Cook’s Troubles comes to life under Schwarz’s pyrographic pen.
Saddle

2 of 3

Briefcase

Briefcase

$9,350

Sold

This briefcase features full floral carving on chestnut leather from Hermann Oak along with a longhorn steer skull and bronc figure. This piece is fully lined with Italian leather and has a snap-in panel that also has pen and notebook pockets. The accordion style gusset was cut from Wickett and Craig leather from Pennsylvania. To complete this piece, Beau Compton designed, fabricated and engraved the unique buckles. The leather suitcase handle is designed to fill the hand with satisfaction.

Briefcase

3 of 3

Ladies’ Handbag

Purse

$2,600

Sold

This ladies’ handbag/shoulder bag has an Italian leather lining and is made with an accordion style gusset. The saddlebag style flap, which is held in place with secure and convenient neodymium magnets, features none other than Annie Oakley, who was rendered by hand using a pyrographic tool. The reverse includes a rendering of a lady bronc rider, completed using the same pyrography technique. Beau Compton fabricated and engraved the stunning silver buckle on the shoulder strap.

Ladies’ Handbag

Cary Schwarz

Salmon, Idaho

January 2025 will mark 27 years since Cary Schwarz had the first conversation with Mike Beaver about a concept that would become the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. As the TCAA celebrates its 25th anniversary exhibition, Schwarz remarked that there has been a lot of water under the bridge with so many great things that have happened within the world of cowboy craftsmanship and artistry. All this despite a steady headwind from inside and outside the cowboy world. The work that he offers for this show is the best work he has assembled to date, and he looks forward to more years ahead for personal and creative growth.