African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art

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Lot 113
  • 113

A fine and rare Senufo Equestrian Figure, Ivory Coast

Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 USD
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Description

the diminutive horse surmounted by the rider with elongated torso, the hands holding the horse's ear, and the right hand holding a curved blade with indigenous repair at the wrist; aged and varied deep brown patina.

Provenance

Harry A. Franklin Family Collection, Beverly Hills
Sotheby's New York, April 21, 1990, lot 46

Exhibited

Los Angeles, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Riders of Power in African Sculpture, November 23, 1983 - May 6, 1984
Hanover, The Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Curator's Choice, January 2 - March 10, 1991

Literature

Herbert Cole, Riders of Power in African Sculpture, 1983, fig. 40

Catalogue Note

The rider wears a broad Sudanic helmet that identifies him as a champion cultivator, sambali, 'a title given to those whose strength, perseverence and willingness to endure pain [...] have earned them the most prestigious honor a man can achieve.' For a closely related figure collected before 1939 see Barbier (1993: 26).

The Senufo "associate horses with leadership, wealth, status, hunting and militarism. Riders sculpted by Senufo artists are often armed with spears at the ready. They represent the multi-dimensional powers of madabele (forest or bush spirits). In equestrian statuary a bush spirit is shown as a forceful, well-armed leader, or fanhafolo (power-owner). Bush spirits are capricious, fast-traveling, nocturnal, mysterious and aggressive. [...] Such figures are display pieces in a diviner's or priest's shrine where [...] they connote luxury, good taste and prestige" (Cole 1983: 11-13).