A SENUFO HOBBY HORSE

Details
A SENUFO HOBBY HORSE

With pricked oval ears, circular eyes and slightly parted jaws, notched shallow mane and banded tail, some cracks, dark glossy patina.
30in long (76cm.)
Provenance
Arthur Barth, San Diego, acquired 1968
Exhibited
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Museum, 1966-1968

Lot Essay

Senior initiates amongst the Central Senufo allocate the hobby horse, syoongoro, to be danced by their champion during the Goro dance. The horse for those Senufo is a symbol of wealth, prestige and status, and to dance with syoongoro was therefore a great honor. It was worn suspended from cords over the dancers shoulders which were looped about the neck and tail of the horse.