An amazing Yoruba horserider

An amazing Yoruba horserider in shape of a bowlkeeper, Nigeria, accompanied by a servant who holds the reins, carved on a oval base; fine aged patina with a beautiful touch patina.

The Yoruba horserider figures found in Benin are typically associated with status, power, and the symbolic presence of authority. These sculptures often depict a mounted figure on horseback, emphasizing mobility and military prowess, which were markers of prestige in both Yoruba and Benin societies. In Benin, such figures may serve as commemorative or honorific objects, linking the owner to valor, leadership, or specific historical or mythological events involving cavalry. Horses themselves were relatively rare and expensive in West Africa, so their representation underscores wealth and elevated social rank. The Yoruba origin of the form reflects cross-cultural artistic influence, as Benin artists incorporated motifs and symbols from neighboring regions while adapting them to local political and ritual contexts.

Some examples also suggest a ritual or protective function, where the mounted figure embodies spiritual guardianship over the household, palace, or shrine, particularly in connection with ancestors or rulers. The dynamic posture of the horse and rider can convey both physical and metaphysical agency, projecting authority beyond the purely aesthetic realm.

Height: 34 cm
Weight: 2,3 kg