Cypriot Horse and Rider

Culture: Cypriot

Period: 700-600 B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 17 cm x 13 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 2065

Provenance: Collection General-Surgeon Dr. Josef Mayer-Riefenthaler, Vienna. Acquired in Cyprus in the 1960s, during his deployment as UN soldier.

Condition: Horse and rider broken in the centre and reattached. The rider’s left hand missing.

Description: Hand formed terracotta horse with high mane, raised, long neck and short stubby legs. The eyes are elliptic, the ears pointed upwards, the mid-long tail bent inwards. From the back of the horse accrues a rider, raising his right arm ready to attack. The broken left arm most probably was holding a shield. The rider wears a folded cap on his head. Abundant geometric decoration, especially on the chest of the horse and its legs. Horse and rider were produced as special offerings for male deities, many samples were found in sanctuaries of Hylates (comparable to Apollo), who was exclusively worshiped in Cyprus in Kourion.