Mounted Hunter with Cheetah

Unknown

12th–early 13th century · Stonepaste; molded in sections, glazed in transparent turquoise, underglaze-painted in black · Islamic Art

Specialized cheetah-keepers tamed and trained cheetahs, caracals, and other wild felines for hunting expeditions, a traditional leisure pursuit of royalty and the wealthy elite. The trained felines rode with their masters on horses and hunted animals such as hares and gazelles. Despite this horseman’s weapons (a mace and a shield), his small cheetah suggests he is a hunter. The figurine was manufactured by altering a preexisting mold of a drinker: the applied arm holding the mace covers and conceals the mold’s original, bent arm holding a cup.

Artist

Unknown

Date

12th–early 13th century

Medium

Stonepaste; molded in sections, glazed in transparent turquoise, underglaze-painted in black

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1966