Indian Bronze Equestrian Figure

A turban, a straight back, and a horse that knows its business.

This bronze equestrian figure comes from India, 18th century. Small riders in bronze were kept in household shrines and honored as protective heroes or local deities, whose horse let them patrol wherever they were needed. The turbaned rider sits upright with both hands raised to the chest, his leg hanging long against the saddle cloth, which is incised with diamonds. The horse is compact and alert, with a detailed bridle and a sweeping tail that lifts well clear of its body. A rectangular plinth carries incised crosshatching. Just over 8 inches high and 7.25 wide.

Neither has looked down since.