Lobi Bronze Equestrian Figure

Three inches of bronze, and not one line wasted.

Horse and rider turn up often in the small metalwork of Burkina Faso, carrying ideas of power, travel and status. This Lobi version, cast in the early 20th century, is boldly simplified. The horse is a frame of tubular legs, with a long arched neck and a hooked head. The rider sits upright, cone-headed, arms reaching forward along the neck, legs hanging down the flank. A gray-green patina, lighter where it has mottled.

Open in form. Almost playful. It looks like it is going somewhere and has just thought of a better idea.