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Overview
A hand-built African terracotta figure of a horse and rider, attributed to the Adamawa region. The rider sits upright with his face tilted upward and his mouth open, wearing a tall incised conical cap, a fringed collar and a ribbed panel across his back, and he grips the reins in one fist. The horse has an elongated head with an open mouth, a bridle with notched trim, and a saddle cloth with scalloped borders and hanging tassels. The figure is hollow, with openings at the rider's mouth, the horse's mouth and the tip of the cap, and it stands on a closed oval domed base incised with leaf-like motifs. The clay is a warm orange-tan with grey-white deposits in the recesses. At over 16 inches tall, it makes a strong centerpiece for a console, shelf or mantel.
Background
Horsemen are an important subject in West African art, where horses were long associated with rank, wealth and leadership. This piece is attributed to the Adamawa region; the attribution is based on its form and has not been independently confirmed. It is hand-built and hollow, with applied and incised decoration. Age untested: the piece has not been thermoluminescence (TL) tested, and buyers are advised to have it TL tested to confirm its age.
Condition
Good condition. There is a small chip at the horse's tail that has been repaired and is barely noticeable. There are no other visible breaks or repairs, only light surface wear and deposits. Please see all photos and the video.
Dimensions & Weight
The figure measures 16.2 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches (H x W x D) and weighs about 6 lb 1.1 oz.
Shipping
Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.
