Dogon Iron Equestrian Figure

Wiry rider hunches on a long-bodied animal with thin straight legs.

This iron equestrian figure is Dogon, from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. Iron is a strong metal that takes a dark, matte surface, and small figures made of it often keep a rough, hand-worked outline. Cast figure group with a seated rider, arms forward, on an animal with a long back and an upturned tail. The legs are slim rods. The metal is dark brown and rough, with a pitted, textured surface. It is 1 inches wide, 4 deep and 5 high.

Minimal horse, maximal determination, no wasted metal.