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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1943.40
Title
Attendant on Horseback Subduing an Elephant
Classification
Albums
Work Type
album folio
Date
16th century
Places
Creation Place: South Asia, India
Period
Mughal period
Culture
Indian
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/216933

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Dimensions
21.7 x 35 cm (8 9/16 x 13 3/4 in.)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, W.M. Prichard Fund
Accession Year
1943
Object Number
1943.40
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
A large elephant, with a chain around the front right leg, charges at a man on horseback. The gray horse with white speckles rears and twists its head, mouth agape, to face the elephant. Mounted on the horse is a youth with the turban and black plume that spears the elephant at the base of its trunk in an attempt to placate the enraged creature. On the top of the elephant is a elephant drive (mahout) that holds onto a rope tied as a large harness on the elephant as well as an elephant goad (ankus). The expression on the mahout’s face augments the elephant’s uncontrollability. The elephant’s tusks have been cut, rounded, and fitted with gold rings. The elephant wears a collar of bells and has gold ornaments hanging off its backside.

Exhibition History

  • The Spotted Horse in Art, Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, 01/01/1963 - 04/01/1963

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu