Hello, this item is a hand-modelled and painted terracotta horse, identifiable as a traditional Peruvian Caballo de Pucará, most likely dating to the mid-to-late twentieth century, approximately 1940–1980. Measuring 23 cm in length, 8 cm in width, and 24.5 cm in height, and weighing 1,075 grams, the figure belongs to a distinctive tradition of Andean folk pottery associated with Pucará in the southern Peruvian highlands. The horse stands on four legs with an arched neck, prominent eyes, a modelled mane, elaborate bridle decorations, and a rectangular saddlecloth rendered in reddish-brown pigment over a pale cream-coloured ground. Particularly characteristic are the circular loop behind the neck and the opening in the back, features associated with traditional Pucará ceramic vessels and their ceremonial origins. These figures developed from the artistic exchange between Indigenous Andean traditions and Spanish colonial culture, particularly following the introduction of horses into Peru during the sixteenth century. They traditionally symbolise strength, prosperity, protection, and good fortune. Although the sculpture reflects longstanding Andean ceramic traditions, it should not be classified as pre-Columbian, since horses were introduced to the Americas following European contact. Its handmade construction, natural clay surface, surviving painted decoration, and stylistic features suggest an older example of Peruvian folk craftsmanship rather than a contemporary mass-produced souvenir.

The sculpture appears to be in fair to good overall condition, displaying considerable surface wear, areas of pigment loss, minor abrasions, and small chips consistent with age and handling. The principal sculptural elements remain largely intact, including the four legs, loop handle, and elaborate facial details. The substantial loss of surface decoration reduces its value somewhat, although the surviving original appearance remains attractive to collectors of Latin American folk art. Comparable twentieth-century Peruvian Caballo de Pucará figures generally occupy an accessible segment of the ethnographic and decorative arts market. A comparable polychrome terracotta horse measuring 35 cm was offered at auction in France with an estimate of €80–€120, while another Pucará horse of approximately 10.5 inches was offered at auction in the United States with an estimate of $100–$300. Given the present example’s dimensions, traditional construction, decorative quality, and visible condition, I would consider it a collectible example of twentieth-century Peruvian folk pottery. Without documented provenance or scientific testing, an earlier date cannot be securely established. The following estimates reflect its value as a twentieth-century folk-art object rather than an archaeological antiquity.

Fair Market Value: $100–$220 USD