The saddle is one of the most precious and unusual objects in the rich Este collection. The object is made of wood and ivory, and there are about twenty similar examples in the world. Although its provenance is still uncertain and debated between Friuli and Tyrol, most experts agree that the saddle was made for Ercole I d’Este after the mid-15th century. In the decoration, the references to the commissioner are explicit: in addition to his portrait, there are the motto ‘Deus fortitudo mea’ found on at least two coins minted by the Duke, the symbol of the lion and the depiction of the patron saint of Ferrara, St. George.
The saddle is made of wood and covered with bone carved in bas-relief, some fragments of colour suggest it was originally painted, the representation embraces the theme of courtly love and knights. The front saddle tree has the Este coat of arms framed by rich festoons, in the coat of arms are the papal keys that were granted in 1474 by Pope Sixtus VI. On the sides is a love story divided into four episodes: the first, at the top left, shows a female figure who, from the top of a fortress, shoots an arrow towards a young man who, in the following depiction at the top right, offers his heart and the woman leans towards him to receive it. The story continues with the two young lovers walking together, while in the last sequence at lower right, they exchange a kiss. On both sides of the back saddle tree, Ercole is depicted on the left strangling the lion and, on the opposite side, St. George slaying the dragon, both bearing a cartouche with the inscription ‘Deus fortitudo mea’. The back side ribs have an outer and an inner face. On the outside, below the depiction of Ercole, a standing falconer holding his falcon is carved, while the inner face features a male face in profile – perhaps another portrait of Ercole – and a cartouche that runs vertically, repeating the motto already mentioned. On the right, the same narrative layout is followed, on the outside a lady is depicted holding a flower in her hands, while on the inside there are three tongues of fire and a lion’s head from whose mouth comes out a cartouche with the motto ‘Deus fortitudo’.
