A style of intricate floral leather carving named for Sheridan, Wyoming, developed there in the 1950s by saddlemaker and tool maker Don King, who combined the Arizona-style carving he learned under Showater with the Visalia style he encountered working in California and an existing pre-Sheridan Wyoming tradition, refined further by fellow craftsman Ernst Ernst's precise, intricate floral work. Sheridan's leather carving culture traces further back to the town's years as headquarters for Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, when local craftsmen began copying the ornate tooled saddles used in the show's performances; King's family and successors, including his grandson Barry King, continue to make the Sheridan style's specialized tools today.
Facts
Designer or OriginatorDon King, Sheridan, Wyoming, 1950s, with significant contribution from Ernst Ernst's floral carving; the tradition is carried on by King's descendants, including his grandson Barry King. 1 OriginDeveloped in Sheridan, Wyoming in the 1950s by Don King, blending Arizona and Visalia carving traditions with an existing local style, and refined by Ernst Ernst's floral work. 1 Distinguishing Technique or ResultDense, flowing floral vine work is carved with a swivel knife and a specialized set of Sheridan-pattern stamping tools, producing a distinctively intricate, deeply modeled floral surface. 1 Connections
Associated With
Tools Used
Swivel Knife is used in Sheridan Style Floral Leather Tooling Pattern.
Sources
1. The Culture of Craft: Sheridan Style Leather Carving (Sheridan Wyoming)
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