Senufo Bronze Equestrian Figure

A horse with a tragically long neck and a rider who gave up on reins.

This bronze equestrian figure is Senufo, and dates to the early 20th century. It is ivory coast, west africa. Horse and rider figures appear in the art of several West African peoples, and they are generally read as images of status and authority. Elongated, arching horse head with a banded collar and dangling ornaments, set on bent forelegs. The thin rider has long, straight arms and a small round face. Dark brown surface with lighter, worn patches at the edges. It is 0.75 inches wide, 4 deep and 4 high.

Proportions were negotiated, and the horse lost.