Horse Girdle Item Number: 3440/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Horse-shaped dance girdle. Depicts front half of a horse, with both legs bent in front of the body. Horse is made of wood and painted black, with white spots throughout. Deeply incised lines, painted white, across its body, highlighting the muscles and facial structure. White vertical lines painted down the centre of the horse’s back, trimmed on either side with horizontal lines. Matching vertical lines painted above the brown hooves. Horse has brown eyes, carved in relief. Surrounding area painted white and red. Brows are pronounced. Horse has white eyelashes and an oval-shaped spot between its eyes. White diagonal lines painted down the bridge of the nose. Nostrils done in brown, lips are dark red, and open mouth is painted off-white. Brown curly mane runs down the back of the horse’s neck, with a long strand, carved in relief, on its forehead. Short ears, on either side of strand, have a red interior and white trim. Body is hollow and has two rectangular cut-outs on either side of the back opening.
The black stallion of San Hipolito, a military saint who on rare occasions assumes the role of Santiago. The horse is supported at the waist by a belt that is threaded through two incisions on its body and tied around the performer.
Purchased by the donor in 2020, from "Baker's Dozen Antiques" in Vancouver. Possibly made in the Rio Balsas area of Guerrero.