Kotoko Bronze Equestrian Figure

Arm outstretched, the horseman steers by rope and a curled horse head

This equestrian figure is Kotoko, from Chad, Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. The Kotoko peoples of the Lake Chad basin are known for small cast metal figures, and horse and rider subjects are among the forms associated with the region. The horse's neck sweeps into a bold hooked curl. A slim figure with a stacked, tapering headdress extends one arm along a twisted rein. Heavy striped girth bands, blackened recesses and bright worn edges on the pointed legs. It is 2 inches wide, 1 deep and 2.5 high.

The horse looks unbothered by all this steering.