Rare Stylised Primitive Horseman Whirligig

Weathered Hand Carved and Painted Wood and Metal

Probably Swedish c. 1930

17” high x 15” wide x 3” deep

Ref: 34/40

This curiously compelling primitive sculpture has good lines and scale. The horse has attractive sculptural movement to the head, neck and legs and the amusingly static horseman sits rigidly in the saddle, his helmet has a copper band running over the top of it, which has developed an appealing verdigris patination, and the horse's eyes are created by two now oxidised and rusted metal dome headed nails. It is now raised and mounted on a contemporary black painted brass stand which helps describe its form and whimsy. There is some evidence of wear and paint loss and small visible shrinkage, but it is generally in sound overall condition. A rare and beguiling primitive sculpture from the European Folk Tradition.


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