Equestrian female rider

The Rhineland potteries in Germany developed their retail market by offering a wide range of stoneware products, such as whistles shaped like people, spindle whorls, marbles, figurines and other small trifles and novelties for children and adults. Several equestrian figurines (like this one) have been found in London, which suggests that these objects were mass-produced for export. Whether they were made as children's toys, for Nativity scenes or some other devotional purpose is unclear. This figurine is of a lady on horseback who is seated side-saddle. The animal she sits on is possibly a donkey rather than a horse and she holds the reigns in her hands. Most of her upper body is missing.