Kotoko Bronze Equestrian Figure

Flat-backed beast with one curled horn and a tiny crest, stitched at the edges.

This equestrian figure from the Kotoko peoples is Kotoko, from Chad, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze & leather. Miniature equestrian figures are usually cast as a single compact group, with the rider and the horse joined so that the piece can be held in the hand. Stuffed animal covered in smooth dark purple-brown skin, edged with visible orange stitches. One metal horn curls over the head, and a ridged cap rises behind it. Short stub feet poke out below. It is 2 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 2.5 high.

Needlework done with more devotion than anatomy.