This piece is from the Dogon Peoples from the town of Djenne, Mali Upper Niger River and shows a 14th to 15th Century bronze figure. This is an early bronze sculpture or figure showing a man or warrior on horseback holding a shield. The piece shows the correct ware and patina for its age and is truly a museum quality piece. The old town of Djenn, Jenne-Jeno, was founded around 800 on an island in the inland Niger Delta of Mali (Schaedler 1997: 32). Trade relations with countries north of the Sahara resulted in both economic prosperity and an exchange with Islamic cultures that is reflected in some of the artistic imagery of Djenn sculpture. Most of the works discovered on the site of ancient Djenn date between the 12th and 16th centuries; they were found during the annual inundation of the Niger Delta when the water uncovers objects from the overlaying soil. This measures 5 3/8”x4.25” and 1.5” thick.