Dogon Bronze Equestrian Figure

Open jaws, long teeth, a tail sweeping up and over in a great arc. Not the horse you expected.

Dogon smiths in Mali sometimes gave mounted figures fanciful, almost mythical forms, and this bronze, 20th century, is one of them. Four inches tall and six long. A long-bodied mount with a toothed mouth and a long-snouted rider who sits upright holding twisted reins to the animal’s mouth. The patina is dark and glossy, lighter where wear has found the high points.

Playful, with teeth.