Votive Mounted Female from Mali

This statue from Mali is roughly carved and very worn. It is of a woman sitting on the back of a horse.

It has a special significance as it represents the myth of the leaving of the Ark after the floods have subsided. It is a statement about survival and procreation. It provides an insight into the power of myth and it honors natural selection through disaster, flood and famine.

In Mali they tell ancient stories of creation and disaster themes found in central Asia. These statues are a reflection of the cross fertilization of ideas, of myths and stories and of the power of spiritual needs. Similar statues can be found with a man seated on the back of the apocalyptic horse.

10” (23 cm) by 9” (25.5 cm)

Provenance: purchased from Harvey Derrien by private collector 2006 approx value £40