Accession Number
1986/1.175

Title
Horse (miniature) on later base

Artist(s)
Dogon

Artist Nationality
Dogon (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1920

Medium & Support
carved wood, blood, patination, gruel, millet, clay

Dimensions
2 3/8 in x 1 3/4 in x 5 5/16 in (6 cm x 4.4 cm x 13.5 cm);3 1/4 in x 2 in (8.2 cm x 5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of the Betty Parsons Foundation

Label copy
9/23/2004
Based on iconographic parallels it seems more likely that this figure represents a dog. Its patina suggests the use of this object in sacrifices, which would not have parallels if it were to represent a horse. However, dogs play an important part in Dogon mythology. During their migration from Mande to the Bandiagara plateau, where the Dogon now live, they were in a very dry area and couldn't find water, until when of their dogs came back with wet feet. So thanks to the dog the Dogon people eventually found a spring and a stream.
(Souce; Imperato 1978:89)

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
carving

Collection Area
African

Rights
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Keywords
horses (equipment)
sculpture (visual works)