The B.M. Horse is a totemic piece conceived in 2000, emerging from Satyendra Pakhalé’s early Bell Metal Objects series. With this work, Pakhalé cultivated a distinctive form language rich in cultural and symbolic depth. It stands as a testament to his dedication to the enduring culture of making, technological ingenuity, persistence, and the intrinsic human drive to create and innovate.
With B.M. Horse Pakhalé challenges dominant design paradigms — particularly those rooted solely in industrial modernism — and instead fosters a pluralistic, sensorial, and culturally grounded view of design as an expression of human dignity and meaning-making.
The B.M. Horse is a key work within Pakhalé’s oeuvre, embodying these critical views on multiple levels. His approach bridges craft and technology, local knowledge and global relevance — positioning design as both a reflective practice and a tool for reimagining dignified, cohesive, and sustainable futures.
Conceived as a seamless bronze piece, the B.M. Horse pushed the boundaries of the traditional cire perdue – lost-wax casting method. After four self-financed failed casting attempts, Pakhalé advanced the process by developing an alternative to natural wax. He created a new method using a specially developed flexible cord and an innovative modeling process, along with a reusable, precision mold.
He searched nearly all of Europe for a foundry capable of taking on this challenge, and after several months, he located one in the Brianza region of Italy. Following a persistent effort spanning over seven years, the B.M. Horse was finally cast in seamless bronze and debuted with ammann // gallery at Design Miami, Basel, Switzerland, in 2007.
We are now delighted to announce that The Museum of Modern Art in New York, USA, has officially acquired the B.M. Horse into its esteemed permanent collection.
More than a sculptural object, the B.M. Horse reflects Pakhalé’s journey — one rooted in the human condition, the culture of creation, and the making of meaning. It exemplifies a singular fusion of craftsmanship and innovation, holding a unique position in contemporary culture.
