Pack Saddle from China

This is made from wood with metal fixings.

The construction is very simple being planks of a hardwood set into a frame. They show a lot of wear on the wood as well as the metal fixings.

I’ve been told they put them straight onto the horse, but I would think that would rub. All pack animals in Afghanistan have felts under the wooden trees.

These types of saddles would have been very common right up to the end of the 2nd World War. Produce and merchandise is still carried by pack mules or donkeys in Iran, Egypt, Sudan and India.

Purchased from Glastonbury Festival 2002 approx value £30