Wedding Cart Ornament (Horse and Rider)
Himalayan region, India
19th–early 20th century
Wood
This evocative wedding cart ornament once formed part of a ceremonial procession vehicle, used during marriage celebrations to signal transition, prosperity, and social standing. Such ornaments were mounted to carts or frameworks and viewed in motion, their bold forms designed to read clearly from a distance while contributing to the festive visual language of the event.
Carved in a highly stylized and abstract manner, the composition reduces both rider and horse to essential geometric elements. The face is minimal—quietly expressive through its restraint—while the body and mount are shaped with confident, rhythmic cuts. This economy of form gives the sculpture a modern sensibility, balancing narrative clarity with sculptural abstraction.
The surface displays a wonderful, varied, and deeply encrusted patina developed through age, exposure, and repeated ceremonial use. Areas of wear and soft abrasion contrast with darker oxidized recesses, creating a richly textured skin that enhances the carving’s visual depth and authenticity.
Length: 10 in / 25.4 cm
Size
Height: 7 ¼ in / 18.4 cm
Item
IN 1-10-26 / Price: $850
Gallery
Wedding Cart Ornament (Horse and Rider)
Himalayan region, India
19th–early 20th century
Wood
This evocative wedding cart ornament once formed part of a ceremonial procession vehicle, used during marriage celebrations to signal transition, prosperity, and social standing. Such ornaments were mounted to carts or frameworks and viewed in motion, their bold forms designed to read clearly from a distance while contributing to the festive visual language of the event.
Carved in a highly stylized and abstract manner, the composition reduces both rider and horse to essential geometric elements. The face is minimal—quietly expressive through its restraint—while the body and mount are shaped with confident, rhythmic cuts. This economy of form gives the sculpture a modern sensibility, balancing narrative clarity with sculptural abstraction.
The surface displays a wonderful, varied, and deeply encrusted patina developed through age, exposure, and repeated ceremonial use. Areas of wear and soft abrasion contrast with darker oxidized recesses, creating a richly textured skin that enhances the carving’s visual depth and authenticity.
Length: 10 in / 25.4 cm
Size
Height: 7 ¼ in / 18.4 cm
Item
IN 1-10-26 / Price: $850
Gallery