Dogon Iron Equestrian Figure

The horse has long, thin legs, and his rider has a tall, narrow face and a determined posture.

This equestrian figure is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is iron. Dogon metalwork often shows horsemen, a form usually linked to status and leadership, though its meanings vary by community. A slim rider sits upright with knees bent, arms drawn close to his chest, and a pointed head with round eyes. The horse's neck curls back in a ridged arc, and its legs end in ringed feet. A curling tail hangs from the hindquarters. It is 4 inches wide and 4 high.

A small cavalry, all in one.