West Africa, Burkina Faso or Ivory Coast, Senufo, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An impressive hand-carved wooden sculpture of a figured seated on a horse. As is usual with Senufo equestrian images, the horse is quite small in relation to the rider, who sits erect on his saddle, controlling his mount with the reins in his right hand and a staff in his right hand. His smooth, gently curved body and crested hairstyle contrast with the bold, angular simplicity of the horse, whose fore and hind legs have been condensed into two slabs of wood for the sake of weight and durability. The horse, which symbolizes power, is overpowered by the authority of the rider and the dominance of power of the rider. Size: 8" L x 3" W x 10.25" H (20.3 cm x 7.6 cm x 26 cm); 11.5" H (29.2 cm) on included custom stand.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Edward A. Spiegel (1931 to 2020) collection, a professor of astronomy as New York University and Columbia University
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#165013
Condition
Chips to tail and back side. Some expected nicks and light abrasions throughout. Otherwise, intact and excellent with light earthen deposits and nice patina.