Bronze Statue of Armed Horse Rider

[Nathaniel]

I saw this at House on the Rock, in my lovely home state of Wisconsin...and knew forum members would appreciate seeing some photos :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_on_the_Rock

I'm interested to see what people think of the rider's garb, and bladed adornment...ethnographically accurate? or romantic mish mash? Anyone know the sculpturer?

[Gavin Nugent]

Nice piece Nathaniel, thanks for sharing.

This one is by far my favorite...wish it was mine :-(


Gav

[kahnjar1]

I saw this at House on the Rock, in my lovely home state of Wisconsin...and knew forum members would appreciate seeing some photos :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_on_the_Rock

I'm interested to see what people think of the rider's garb, and bladed adornment...ethnographically accurate? or romantic mish mash? Anyone know the sculpturer?
I agree with Gav....a very nice piece. I assume it is bronze? Any makers name around the base? The stirrups look Turkish/Syrian.

[Nathaniel]

Stuart, No unfortunately I didn't take the time to examine the base for any description or markings. It was a very big house with lots to look at and by that time the experience was getting numbing so I just quick snapped the shot. When I go again sometime I will be sure to take my better flash and take a better look! Might be a while though, even though it's only 45 minutes away. :)

[Nathaniel]

I agree with Gav....a very nice piece. I assume it is bronze? Any makers name around the base? The stirrups look Turkish/Syrian.

That is what I was wondering too...if it was Turkish...not my area...but I was just wondering based upon the knife handles??? Hoping some other experienced eyes might chime in...

[kahnjar1]

That is what I was wondering too...if it was Turkish...not my area...but I was just wondering based upon the knife handles??? Hoping some other experienced eyes might chime in...
You have PM

[Rick]

Judging from the arms; (possibly european interpretations), I would think this might represent an Ottoman Janissary . :shrug:

[Nathaniel]

Judging from the arms; (possibly european interpretations), I would think this might represent an Ottoman Janissary . :shrug:

Thanks Rick...this is what I was hoping people would do is toss out some thoughts and I was curious to know how accurate of representation this is or perhaps romanticized European "oriental" interpretations...just like some of the paintings that where the subject of another thread awhile back, but none the less some are very well executed and admirable none the less.

[kronckew]

the janissary were turkish infantry mostly. they hard rather distinctive head dresses.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Ataturk_Janissary.jpg/175px-Ataturk_Janissary.jpg

their mounted officers & siphahis wore the more distinctive large turkish turbans as per the later posted statue. the OP's statue's head dress looks more arabic to me.

looks like an earlier style of the ghotra.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xuJU_-XCx0/SfYyy--BkUI/AAAAAAAAACo/TnIEytcfnjU/s320/ghutra,me.jpg
(townies wear white ones, the checkered ones are worn by the bedou (and ferengi ;) .)

reminds me of this saudi bedu falconer with his cased rifle, ammo/sword belt.
(this photo used to hang in ARAMCO's HQ in dhahran, was given to me by one of the VP's as a parting gift when i left saudi arabia. it hangs on my wall even now)

[Rick]

the janissary were turkish infantry mostly. they hard rather distinctive head dresses.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Ataturk_Janissary.jpg/175px-Ataturk_Janissary.jpg

their mounted officers & siphahis wore the more distinctive large turkish turbans as per the later posted statue. the OP's statue's head dress looks more arabic to me.

looks like an earlier style of the ghotra.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xuJU_-XCx0/SfYyy--BkUI/AAAAAAAAACo/TnIEytcfnjU/s320/ghutra,me.jpg
(townies wear white ones, the checkered ones are worn by the bedou (and ferengi ;) .)

reminds me of this saudi bedu falconer with his cased rifle, ammo/sword belt.
(this photo used to hang in ARAMCO's HQ in dhahran, was given to me by one of the VP's as a parting gift when i left saudi arabia. it hangs on my wall even now)

It was the great belt he wears that prompted my guess .
No cartridge loops visible there .
Probably a European romanticised interpretation anyway . :shrug:

[kronckew]

found this one, lists as 'arab muslim bedouin warrior horseman'.

https://www.regentantiques.com/product_images/01277-Bronze-Arab-Muslim-Bedouin-Warrior-Horseman-Statue-6.jpg

another, 'arab huntsman' from 3 sites, the middle shows a silver colored version behind the bronze. last is possibly the source inspiration, 'arab horseman' attributed to artist - Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875).

seems to be a popular motif and well copied..

[kronckew]

another 'arab horseman' attributed to barye, a coloured in version :)
shows the weapons a bit better. i note this & the last post's bronze barye version is VERY much like the original poster's one, even the small terrain mound on the base & the 's' shaped pommel on his right-hand blade....

i suspect the mold was used more than once..

(i give up now, enough of a good thing is too much, so i won't show the silver gilt version i also found)

[Nathaniel]

Nice work, Kronckew! Thanks for sharing with us the product of your web search! This was the type of information I was looking for! :)