Argentine Pampas--Nevada high Desert. Not so different.

I should have measured how many miniscule stitches to the inch. Today, a month from when I visited the exhibit, I can’t begin to describe the braiding.


Armando Deferrari and Pablo Lozano are Argentine master rawhide braiders. They and the Brazilians were guests of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering this year, and some of their gear was on display as part of the “Cowboy of the Americas” exhibit in the Western Folklife Center.

Armando, older of the two, is a big man, probably over six feet tall, bearded, strong face, direct gaze. Pablo is younger with classic, fine features. Both were eager to show us their work. Headstalls, bridles, whips, and refurbished classical artifacts. They both work in silver and rawhide, and Armando, retired from veterinary medicine, maintains a silversmithing workshop.

They turn heads when they stride into a room with easy, welcoming smiles. Pablo wears a rakish beret, red dotted scarf, and short jacket; Armando, a black fedora hat, scarf, and brightly colored poncho with white geometric design.
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