Equestrian Figure

Origin: Dogon Tribe, Mali
Composition: lost wax-cast bronze

Equestrian figures are a common theme in Dogon art, and horses are generally associated with wealth and power in West Africa. Rare and expensive, horses are usually only owned by leaders. One of the few members of Dogon society likely to own a horse is the hogon (chiefly preist), and thus Dogon equestrian figures are usually believed to depict a hogon. The rider here carries a large blade, and both rider and horse are adorned with carefully rendered ornaments. These signs also indicate the high status of the rider (Ref: Visona, A History of Art In Africa).

The 250,000 Dogon people live on a large plateau, with most of the villages situated on cliffs to the north and the east. According to Dogon oral tradition, the tribe settled in this area between the 14th and the 15th centuries, after escaping from the Mande kingdom. Legend has it that a snake led them to the cliff at the southern end of the plateau, where they overwhelmed and usurped the local Tellem and Niongom populations. The Dogon livelihood is base on agriculture concentrated in fields at the edge of the cliff, where water is scarce, but enough for occasional irrigation. Dogon social and religious organizations are closely interlinked and out of these arose four principal cults which account for the richness and diversity of Dogon culture (Passage from Tribal Arts of Africa).

This piece is thought to be late 20th century in age, based on information provided at the time of purchase, however, it has not been TL tested and could be older.

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