Solid Brass Temple Horse on Wheels

Giddy up! This handsome brass horse rolls straight out of one of India's oldest traditions and into your home.

For centuries, brass animals on wheels have been made as temple toys in India. These are small, beautifully crafted pull-along figures that families bought at temple fairs and festivals, gave to children, or offered to the gods. In Rajasthan the tradition is especially sweet at Nathdwara, where Krishna is worshipped as a young child and is lovingly presented with toys, just as any child would be. Temple toys like this one were made to be cherished and passed down, and many have rolled happily through several generations of the same family.

The horse is also a fitting figure for Rajasthan. It's the land of the Marwari horse, famous for its curled-in ears and its courage, and long prized by Rajput warriors for loyalty and endurance. Horses gallop through Rajasthani folklore, paintings and festivals, and they're still a symbol of strength, nobility and good fortune. Folk heroes such as Pabuji and Baba Ramdev are almost always shown on horseback, and devotees still offer horses at their shrines.

Sourced in Rajasthan and cast from solid brass, our temple horse has a proud stance and spinning wheels, and it makes a lovely, interesting addition to a shelf, mantel or bookcase. It's a particularly special piece for a nursery or child's room, with a story to tell as they grow up and a keepsake to hold on to long after.

Dimensions: approx. 10cm x 10cm x 10cm

Care: This is a decorative piece rather than a plaything for babies or toddlers, so place it out of reach of very young children. Brass will slowly develop a warm, mellow patina, which suits a piece like this beautifully. To keep it bright, wipe with a soft dry cloth and polish now and then with a brass polish, or a paste of lemon juice and bicarb soda. Dry thoroughly and avoid harsh abrasives.