Optical Illusion.

Yes, it looks for all the world like a regular-sized western saddle - but this piece is something quite different.

This year's entry in the Traditional Cowboy Artists exhibition by legendary saddlemaker Chuck Stormes, this is actually a half-size replica, intended to show how custom saddlemakers would originally display their wares to potential buyers.

This being the work of Chuck Stormes, however, the scaled-down saddle is a marvel of intricate design and detail, every component from seat to cinch rings being made exactly to scale.

You can see this mini-masterpiece displayed at The Traditional Cowboy Arts Association's 10th Annual Show and Sale opening 27th September at the Cowboy and Western heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

And you can also discover some of the featured artisans in the September 2008 issue of Western Horseman.