Equestrian figure ·  Mali, Dogon · ID: 3039669

Description

wood, encrusted greyish brown patina, abstract forms: arms and legs of the equestrian amalgamated, the animals short body and head merged into a compact unit, slightly dam., minor missing parts, fine cracks, sacrificial patina;
a number of identities have been given to mounted figures but none are definitive. They are variously called ancestors, horsemen, warriors or “hogon” - the most important person in the community and village priest of the “lebe” cult. Futhermore, they have been identified as helmsmen or blacksmiths, drawing upon the mythic association with the “nommo” that accompanied humans in the ark sent to populate the earth, and who transformed himself into the horse which led them to water.

Comparing literature

Maples, Amanda (ed.), African Art from the Leslie Sacks Collection, Milan 2013, p. 282