Nigeria, Yoruba People, First Half Of The 20th Century, Old Wooden Equestrian Figure

Origin: Nigeria
Culture: Yoruba
Antiquity: First half of the 20th century
Off stand: 18.5 x 11 cm
Condition: Right arm restored / Beautiful old patina, shiny in places with some remnants of blue pigment
Provenance: From a set from a private collection

Old equestrian figure representing a rider on his mount. As in most Yoruba equestrian figures, the horse is of secondary importance within the composition and, despite its symbol of prestige, it is proportionally much smaller than the rider. The rider sits straight on his horse, holding the reins in his left hand and a short sword in his right hand. The arms and legs are bent at right angles, thus giving the piece a beautiful dynamic enhanced by a face projected forward. The features of the latter are clearly and simply defined: lenticular eyes devoid of pupils seeming to look into the distance surmount a long thin and flat nose. The thick lips prognathic mouth overhangs a chin receiving a carefully cut beard extending to the bottom of the ears. An elaborate hair originating at the top of the skull is wrapped in a long braid ending on the rump of the horse, thus giving the impression of a man / animal fusion. This feeling is reinforced by the lines of the frame (striated and vertical muzzle reminiscent of the rider's beard and nose, wide eyes and ears). There is therefore here a subtle play of similarities and contrasts between the rider and his horse, the man and the animal, reflecting the complementary relationship expressed in this equestrian figure.