Indian Architectural Detail of Horse Head

The bridle is still buckled tight, studded with diamonds and finished with a fat tassel at the chin.

This architectural detail of a horse head comes from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the late 19th century, in carved teak wood. Carved horses were a common feature of South Indian temple and house architecture. The head bows sharply at the neck, its ear pointed and its eye a simple carved almond. A wide bridle and headstall are cut with triangles and lines, with a rosette at the cheek and a cord running to the tassel. The wood is weathered to a dry gray-brown, split along the grain. It is 24 inches high, 9 deep and 4.5 wide.

Fully tacked up, and patient about the ride.