261 - STANDING BRONZE HORSE INDIA 18TH CENTURY

STANDING BRONZE HORSE INDIA 18TH CENTURY Dimensions: Height 23 cm Wide 8 cm Depth 22 cm Weight: 2942 grams A substantial cast-bronze horse standing alert on four straight legs, its upright ears and compact head giving the animal a lively, attentive expression. The body is fitted with an elaborate bridle, collar and saddle cloth, their beaded and incised details providing a decorative counterpoint to the broad, solid modelling of the torso. Horses occupied an important place in Indian courtly and military culture and also appear widely in regional devotional metalwork. Small independent bronzes could function as votive offerings or as evocative images of status, movement and martial prestige. Here the simplified anatomy and strongly patterned harness give the figure the direct character of a regional workshop tradition. The bronze carries a dark brown patina with areas of green oxidation and surface wear. Minor casting irregularities, abrasions and losses at the extremities are consistent with age.