Djenne Equestrian Figure. Based

Four rods for legs, one long arched tail, a flattened head on an upright neck. The rider leans forward, arms along the horse’s neck. That is the whole story, told in the fewest strokes.

Horse and rider imagery appears often in the arts of the West African savanna, where mounted horsemen were long associated with prestige and leadership. This one comes from Mali and was made in the 20th century. The forms are pared down to linear metal rods, the rider’s head a simple tilted oval. A gray-green patina covers it. Four inches tall on a black base.

Almost calligraphy. Read it left to right, at a gallop.