Cypriot Large horse and side-saddle rider with groom,: Archaic (1750-480BC)

This rider shows no clear indication of being female, so is probably an elderly dignitary in moderately long robe, with his horse being led by a servant. There are many representations of females riding side-saddle from sanctuaries in Arcadia, but in Cyprus there are only a few representations of side-saddle riding from the late Bronze Age and Cypro-Geometric periods, continuing in the Archaic. The addition of a servant is even more unusual, though there are a few images of riderless horses being led. Karageorgis quotes Crouwel and Tatton Brown that such riding was confined to the elderly and infirm and to women and dignitaries whose dress would not allow riding astride. The votive representations of horsemen were very commonly left at country shrines, probably indicating status, and took the place of the worshiper at the shrine. A few have been found in tombs, including a side-saddle rider at Idalion.

Horse with very long neck, thick tail hanging free, and apron in front. The very elaborate bridle has a headband/ cheekpiece which divides just before the noseband, which is pierced from the side, below the jaw. The front band has a brow-pad continuing up to a horn-like bump on top of the head. The browband, in front of ears, has blinkers attached. The rider sits side-saddle, facing right, with robe to below the knees, legs and feet below, prominent ears and nose and no beard on chin, hat made of thread of clay looped thrice around. His left hand high on the horse’s neck and right gripping loop rising from the back of his seat. His servant with prominent nose stands against the side of the horse’s right leg, slightly leaning back, looking up, arms raised to shoulder level, hands curled around reins(not shown) left hand below right, legs divided to mid thigh with feet shown. Hair (or hat) falling each side to shoulders and lobe falling less far down back of head. Some traces of paint on arm, hat and buttock of attendant and left eye of rider.  Most paint lost, attendant’s head and possibly arm reattached, otherwise good condition

Cf/Notes: Karageorghis 1993 p.88 Pl.XXXIX (1); 1995 p.94 Pl.XLIX (1-3)