Dogon Umbrella Handle Depicting Equestrian Figure

A rider with a beard, a staff, and a cup balanced overhead.

Dogon artists of Mali, West Africa, cast this equestrian figure as an umbrella handle in bronze in the 20th century. Horsemen are a familiar subject in Dogon bronzes and are commonly associated with status and leadership. The bearded rider sits upright on a sturdy mount, holding a staff along his body, and a wide shallow cup rises from his head. The base is small and uneven. Green and brown oxidation has gathered in the folds.

About six inches tall. A hat made of a bowl is a confident look.