cantle

Cantle is a term used across several fields to describe the rear edge or upper back portion of an object. The word originates from Old French cantel, meaning edge or corner, and over time has come to denote a feature that provides support or definition at the back of a structure or seat.

In saddlery, the cantle is the rear portion of the saddle seat that rises behind the rider. It helps secure the rider and contributes to the saddle’s stability, with cantle height and shape varying by style. Western saddles typically have a higher, more pronounced cantle, while English saddles show a range from low to moderate heights. The cantle is distinct from the pommel at the front and may be decorative as well as functional.

In furniture, the cantle refers to the back edge or portion of a chair or bench that offers back support. It is part of the seat’s construction and can influence both comfort and aesthetics, particularly in chairs with a curved or upholstered back.

More broadly, cantle can describe the back edge of an object where a raised rear section serves a supportive or finishing role. While most common in discussions of saddles and seating, the term can appear in descriptive or technical contexts to indicate the rear-profile feature of a component.