Kotoko Bronze Equestrian Figure

An inch of bronze, and the rider still has his head thrown back.

The Kotoko live along the Chari and Logone rivers in Chad, and they are known for small lost-wax castings, horsemen chief among them. This one is from the 20th century. The rider sits tall, holding a thick twisted rein that sweeps to the horse’s ring-shaped head.

Ribbed bands encircle the horse’s neck, and fine crosshatching marks its flank above four short, squared legs. The golden-brown metal darkens in the hollows.

Pocket-sized. Rather proud of it.