Items Similar to Brutalist Tribal Folk Wrought Iron Horse Figure 1950s Head Bowed
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18
Brutalist Tribal Folk Wrought Iron Horse Figure 1950s Head Bowed
$600
£455.51
€521.01
CA$838.29
A$932.36
CHF 486.85
MX$11,345.81
NOK 6,217.80
SEK 5,831.20
DKK 3,888.47
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
A delightful tribal brutalist sculpture of a horse, showing exceptional character and decorative appeal. This is the second of two separate listings of this figure type.
The origin of these figures is disputed. There are arguments made for this type of work as an early 20th Century Dogon tribal production from West Africa. While the horse is a strong figure in the Dogon tradition, the Dogon figures are made of solid iron, not sheet iron, are more rounded in the body, and often sport a set of reins, sometimes even a rider.
After extensive research, we're certain this is an early to mid 20th century example of 'Loha Shilp' wrought iron, originating from the 'Lohar' or blacksmiths of the Bastari tribes, centred in the state of Chhattisgarh, India.
The defining features of the Bastar blacksmith's work are the use of flat iron, obvious hammer marks, Impressed and cut patterns and strong simple forms - they are made quickly and not overworked. This makes them expressive and elegant, free of intricacy or decoration apart from a few strokes that might indicate an eye, a mane, a knee joint or a tail.
The Lohar of the Bastar tribes are still working today but, out of necessity, much of the work has taken on features that appeal to the tourist or export markets. These may include decorative screens and wall hangings reflect more of the wishes of the tourist market than the origins of Bastari ironwork. The older, original tribal works are much stronger and more expressive, and the horse offered in this listing is a beautiful example.
Notable in this piece is the very appealing 'essence of horse' (if we can coin a term), and the lovely aged patina. The horse has an energetic appearance flexing his neck and bowing his head. This is an older Bastari tribal work, simple and strong, originally made to be used as a votive offering. Its patina indicates it's between 70 and 50 years old.
These iron horses were offered at village shrines, especially at local deities’ altars, or used in rituals to honor ancestors. They embody strength, endurance, and movement, and are considered protective symbols. Though tribal in origin, they’ve entered folk and contemporary art markets, prized for their stark and powerful forms.
There is another of these hand forged iron horse figures listed in our storefront. It was sourced, by pure good fortune, only days after the first. I have not found or seen any other examples of this age or quality before or since.
If you find this piece appealing and affordable, I suggest you purchase immediately. These original early to mid 20th century Bastari Lohar works do not come available very often. There are contemporary versions, but they lack the immediacy, formal strength and spirited feeling of these original ritual offerings. Much prized by collectors and horse lovers, this one will move fast!
- Dimensions:Height: 8.47 in (21.5 cm)Width: 10.63 in (27 cm)Depth: 2.76 in (7 cm)
- Style:Brutalist (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Melbourne, AU
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2656344936632
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2013
1stDibs seller since 2017
152 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Melbourne, Australia
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllBrutalist Earthenware Slab Wall Hanging Sculpture 1970s After Peter Voulkos
By Peter Voulkos
Located in Melbourne, AU
A total commitment to experimentation with materials. This piece is unsigned, but we note the muscular slab-built Brutalism of this piece and wonder about the influence of American Brutalist sculptor...
Category
Vintage 1970s Australian Brutalist Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware
$360 Sale Price
44% Off
Totemic Head Sculpture Unsigned by Jencik, Melbourne, 1998
By Paul Jencik
Located in Melbourne, AU
Another wonderful marble sculpture with an intriguing provenance. Unsigned. Part of a series by Paul Jencik, circa 1998-2001.
This ‘totemic head’ sculpture is carved from a single block of marble in a snowy white. It’s the remaining head from a much larger totemic sculpture, the base now lost. This figurative face can be interpreted in many ways. Jencik references human, animal and natural forms but never quite allows us to reach a conclusion about the origins of his creations.
Jencik was a welder, boat builder and metal worker with a strong creative instinct but without the opportunity or artistic training that would afford his work any recognition. He created a large series of marble and timber sculptures...
Category
1990s Australian Post-Modern Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Marble
$256 Sale Price
20% Off
Bronze Glazed Stoneware Bust 'Mathilda' c1980
Located in Melbourne, AU
The bust has been sculpted from earthenware clay and fired with a Bronze glaze. It is sculpted in a mannered style, with a dramatic, expressively turned head and tender expression.
...
Category
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Busts
Materials
Metal
$1,040 Sale Price
58% Off
Stainless Steel Brass Copper Brutalist Wall Sculpture Stephen Chun, 1970s
By Stephen Chun
Located in Melbourne, AU
An excellent example of decorative wall sculpture dating to the 1970s, by artist and maker Stephen Chun.
Chun studied at art school in Taipei, graduati...
Category
Vintage 1970s Hong Kong Brutalist Decorative Art
Materials
Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel
Brutalist Brass Bonsai Ikebana Lily Flower Sculpture by Gerd Scharrelmann 1970s
Located in Melbourne, AU
Torch-cut brass sculpture of lillies, mounted on a burlwood base, by Gerd Scharrelmann. This elegant sculpture has a delightful kinetic effect. The flowers and stems shiver, producin...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Brutalist Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Very Large Brutalist Middle Eastern Ceramic Planter 1970s
Located in Melbourne, AU
This wonderful footed earthenware planter can be used as a vase or bowl. It presents as an impressive object in it's own right, or can be used as a plant pot holder.
Based on ancient Middle Eastern hand-building and mineral glazing techniques, it has wonderful Organic Modern styling potential, but will also interest those who like ancient pottery and/or the Brutalist aesthetic of the 1970s.
It was purchased in the late 1960s or early 1970s from Israel by a dedicated collector of ceramics for use as an Ikebana vessel, and shipped to Australia...
Category
Vintage 1970s Israeli Brutalist Vases
Materials
Earthenware
$3,600 Sale Price
35% Off
You May Also Like
Vintage Indian Archaic Style Cast Iron Horse Sculpture with Rusty Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Indian archaic style vintage cast iron horse sculpture from the mid 20th century. Created in India during the midcentury period, this unus...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Animal Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Unknown Craftsman Large Brutalist Welded Metal Art Horse Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia, Marcello Fantoni
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Beautiful and fragile horse figure. Very narrow stance as designed so place on stabile shelf! We decided to present in as found condition, if it turns out to be an important sculptor...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
$3,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Patinated Etruscan Horse Sculpture Weinberg Style 1970s, Italy
By Frederic Weinberg, Pepe Mendoza
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a bronze sculpture, in the style of the antique statues and figures of the Etruscans. It is a gorgeous interior furnishing item, an incredibly stylized Etruscan horse and has...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Brutalist Iron Horse Sculpture
By Jack Hanson
Located in San Diego, CA
Brutalist iron horse with torched designs. Jack Hanson, Hanson House, Long Beach California.
Category
20th Century American Animal Sculptures
Materials
Iron
$236 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Sculpture of a Horse
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century Brutalist Bronze Sculpture of a Horse in great vintage condition.
Measures 11" in width, 3" in depth and stands 13" in height.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1990s Bronze Horse Sculpture with Dynamic Posture and Rectangular Base
Located in Marbella, ES
This refined bronze sculpture captures a horse in a dynamic pose, emphasizing its strength and grace. The detailed design features a stylized mane and flowing lines, lending a modern...
Category
Late 20th Century European Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
