WHAT IS THIS PIECE OF FURNITURE? SADDLE HOLDER?

This came out of a storage unit from a couple from Switzerland. There was also a lot of vintage horse show plaques from Europe, horse breeding paper work & a nice saddle.
A saddle holder is the only thing I can think of that this would be used for; and the bottom compartment is for tack & supplies?
But why does the top angled roof like piece rotate?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

I think that is a very good guess.

The angle seems a little harsh...as if rounded a little would make more sense.

 

I would guess it rotates to prevent the creation of hernias and back injuries when removing heavy saddles.

 

@SBSVC??? Any input??? IF that's what it's for, and I've never seen one like this, my thoughts would be to make it easier to clean various parts of the saddle.....but I'm also thinking the whole thing seems a bit low......JMHO! EDIT: But then, @journeymagazine, you didn't give the actual height either!!!?????

 

Saddle rack seems reasonable. Haven't seen the rotating thing before. Maybe it's for working on the saddle. I've seen them with sharp angles, so that part wouldn't be unusual.

 

Does look like a saddle rack with tack box.

Debora

 

I'll get height tomorrow.
It must be valuable - they brought it from Switzerland or Sweden

 

lots are rounded.......but not all !!!!

Maybe it was a memento of a ride they took !!!

 

It seems like it is made to work on the saddle, as you could lock it into different positions at different angles to concentrate on a certain detail or area? I know some have a sharp top to them, I guess I was just thinking out loud that it didn't seem like the most ideal design...

 

It wouldn't really matter if the top were a sharp angle, because the weight would be carried by the pads on the inside of the saddle lower down. In the photos it looks like there might be some wear in the area where that weight would be born and the friction would occur when taking and replacing the saddle. If you have physical access, you could look for hair, sweat, or horse smell.

 

I'll have to ask my friend because I didn't buy it; I told him I'd let him know after I found out what it was. I did buy this old magazine rack table made of a nice looking wood (what is it?) for $20 since he'd brought them for me to look at - does anyone know what the label used to say? Was this a better deal? (I can get the other piece for same but it's bigger & I have so much stuff there's little room left!

 

It looks like you have a rosewood canterbury ca. 1875. Condition looks good.

$20???? You stole it.

 

Wow! That looks pretty special...and I agree, $20 is a GREAT price.

 

SCORE!

 

Absolutely the better deal, how many folks stumble into an antique/collectible shop looking for a saddle stand? I'll answer that, zero.

Agreed, very good buy.

 

James Conrad - your right + I see them selling for around $100; otherwise I might be able to sell it here in Miami/S Fla - there are horse owners and ranches in the south part of our area.
Now I have to look up Canterbury!
Thanks all for all the help!

 

Here is a similar one from 1stdibs, so please take the price at face value...
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/m...ry-magazine-rack-single-drawer/id-f_14402282/

 

Still, that IS a very nice canterbury; with a little TLC it will really shine. I would expect to see a price hovering around $1K for this in a retail setting, perhaps even more depending on where and when.