Model of a Dancing 'Ghodi' Wedding Horse

Model of a Dancing 'Ghodi' Wedding Horse

Code: 10084

Dimensions:

H: 24cm (9.4")W: 14.7cm (5.8")D: 5.6cm (2.2")

SOLD

Model of a dancing 'Wedding Horse' or Ghodi
Rajasthan (probably Jaipur), India. Circa 1920's.
Carved wood with painted decoration

A white mare, or ghodi, elaborately decorated with an embroidered saddle-cloth, jewelled halter and bells, often forms part of an Indian groom's wedding procession (known as a baraat in the Hindu and Sikh traditions). To this day grooms still often ride on horseback to their wedding though practicality is making it increasingly likely that the groom will arrive in a luxury car. After the groom dismounts, the horse performs complex prancing and leaping dances.

This model dates to around the 1920's and is thought to have found its way to England at around that time as a present from a returning traveller.