Cast Iron Hitching Post c. 1941

This is a rendering of a cast iron hitching post by V.L. Vance. The design centers around the symbolic power of the horse. For millennia, the horse has represented vitality, virility, and untamed power. We see echoes of this symbolism in ancient Greece, where horses drew the chariots of gods. The Celts revered horses as guides to the underworld. Here, the horse's head crowns the post, turning the act of tethering into a symbolic claiming of the animal's inherent power. The twisted column supporting the horse reminds us of the pillars in ancient temples, suggesting a sacred dimension to our connection with animals. The visual echoes rippling from classical antiquity to the American landscape reflect a collective memory, where the horse is eternally linked to our primal drives. This is a visual expression of humanity's deep connection with the animal kingdom.