Ancient Greece, Cyprus, Cypro-Archaic Period, ca. 600 to 480 BCE. A charming hand-built pottery depiction of an anthropomorphic figure riding a horse. The horse has a stylized triangular body with fused front legs, delineated back legs with a tail hanging in-between, and a projecting head with a pinched snout, perky ears, applied discoid eyes, and a short crest. The rider has a pinched head, discoid eyes beneath bulging brows, a triangular nose, and a prominent chin, with both arms reaching downward, seemingly grasping at the horse's reins. Both figures boast vibrant colors with applied red-orange pigment atop a pale-yellow ground. Many figures similar to this example have been found at the sanctuary of Apollo Hylates and have been interpreted as votive figures of warriors. Size: 3.8" L x 1.3" W x 5.7" H (9.7 cm x 3.3 cm x 14.5 cm).

For a stylistically-similar example with delineated legs, please see the Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv, item code ICMS_EIM_MHP310.60:
http://www.museumsinisrael.gov.il/en/items/Pages/ItemCard.aspx?IdItem=ICMS_EIM_MHP310.60

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#140239

Minor nicks to legs, bodies, and heads, with fading to most colored areas, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and traces of pigmentation throughout.