As I was browsing eBay for miniature horse-themed decorations last year, I came across this Art Deco black enamel horse. Though not at all similar to the horse statues I remember seeing in the real-life Osteria Al Vecchio Stallo, I really liked its sleek look, not to mention the fact that it cost only a few dollars, compared to other similarly sized horses that were quite expensive. The piece was shipped, oddly, from the Netherlands (I say “oddly” because so much of what I buy on eBay these days comes from China!), and the company generously included a second miniature horse. This one had a hook on its head, clearly intended to be worn as a charm. I nipped off the hook and, not liking the shiny silver color, antiqued it with some black acrylic paint.
For the base, I stacked two ovals of Premo gray granite polymer clay, making an imprint of the horse’s hind hooves. After the initial baking, I used liquid clay to “glue” the horse in place.
For the black horse, I cut a section of wood, sanded the edges slightly to bevel, and stained it with a color called red chestnut. (The super glue I used to attach the horse is still a bit wet in the photo.)
