Freeman-McFarlin Indian Chief on Horseback

Over at California Pottery Index, Ron Carnes posted a question to us...

Help! We just acquired a large statue (19" tall) of a Native American Indian Chief seated on a horse with his right arm upraised. This is marked on the bottom Anthony California USA 168. The odd thing about this piece is that it seems to be made of metal, not ceramic. It is hollow and has a distinct metallic ring when struck lightly with another piece of metal. Both Indian and horse are done in an odd antiqued matte brown finish, and the Indian wears a white chief's headdress. From the signature, I believe this is a Maynard Anthony Freeman piece -- any ideas on what I have here? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Capt'n Ron

Our Answer to Ron

Hey Cap, I'd say what you have is a Freeman-McFarlin piece...it is hard, that's what keeps the chief from having a stump at the shoulder. The glaze sounds like the FM woodtone finish.
A place called the "Black Horse Ranch" has an example pictured in their online collection of ceramic horses, which is pretty cool in itself - check about a third of the way down in pic labeled "#C Upper".

Value? I'm not certain but would put it at least $125-150.

and here's a pic of the Chief from the Black Horse Ranch collection. Very cool piece.