Kotoko Bronze Equestrian Figure

Curled horse head and a leaning rider with plenty of hair texture

This equestrian figure is Kotoko, from Chad, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. Small bronzes of a rider on horseback typically show a simplified body, an upright seat and a stylized head, with details worked into the cast surface. Rich brown surface with darker crevices. A figure with a tall, ridged headdress tilts back on a stocky horse with a spiral-curled head. Incised bands circle the girth and a round saddle boss sits behind. It is 2 inches wide, 0.5 deep and 2.5 high.

Everything curls, and nothing apologizes for it.