Elephant

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Elephant

Iran, probably Nishapur, 10th century
Stone
Stone, carved
2 5/8 x 3 1/2 in. (6.6 x 8.9 cm)
The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection, gift of Joan Palevsky (M.73.5.302)
Art of the Middle East: Islamic and Contemporary
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

This stone elephant presents something of a mystery. Similar carved figures were produced in the early Islamic period as chess pieces, serving as the equivalent of the bishop in the game....
This stone elephant presents something of a mystery. Similar carved figures were produced in the early Islamic period as chess pieces, serving as the equivalent of the bishop in the game. This example, however, may have instead been made as a child’s toy and was possibly attached to a larger object, as is suggested by the drill holes through its tail and between its hindquarters.
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Bibliography

  • Lo Terrenal y lo Divino: Arte Islámico siglos VII al XIX Colección del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Ángeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural La Moneda, 2015.

  • Pal, Pratapaditya, ed.  Islamic Art:  The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection.  Los Angeles:  Museum Associates, 1973.

  • Lo Terrenal y lo Divino: Arte Islámico siglos VII al XIX Colección del Museo de Arte del Condado de Los Ángeles. Santiago: Centro Cultural La Moneda, 2015.

  • Pal, Pratapaditya, ed.  Islamic Art:  The Nasli M. Heeramaneck Collection.  Los Angeles:  Museum Associates, 1973.
  • Pal, Pratapaditya.  Elephants and Ivories in South Asia.  Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1981.
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